Photons have a rest mass of zero. How can they have a non-zero momentum if this is the case? We know light slows down when moving through a medium. As it slows down, it gains mass. This allows it to have a momentum of more than zero. Classical momentum is to rest mass times velocity. Relativistic momentum is related to rest mass, velocity, and total energy. While the photon's rest mass is zero, its total energy is not. The laws of physics change when moving above 1% of the speed of light. This changes the definition of momentum. The rest mass of a photon is not zero in space, only when near the gravity of a planet like Earth.

In classical mechanics momentum is given asp = movhere mo is rest mass of the object and v is its…

Answered: Photons have a rest mass of zero. How…

Physics for Scientists and Engineers: Foundations and Connections

1st Edition

ISBN:9781133939146

Author:Katz, Debora M.

Publisher:Katz, Debora M.

Chapter39: Relativity

Section: Chapter Questions

Problem 83PQ

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Photons have a rest mass of zero. How can they have a non-zero momentum if this is the case?

We know light slows down when moving through a medium. As it slows down, it gains mass. This allows it to have a momentum of more than zero.
Classical momentum is to rest mass times velocity. Relativistic momentum is related to rest mass, velocity, and total energy. While the photon's rest mass is zero, its total energy is not.
The laws of physics change when moving above 1% of the speed of light. This changes the definition of momentum.
The rest mass of a photon is not zero in space, only when near the gravity of a planet like Earth.

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