photon

The definition of a photon is a particle that has energy and movement; but, it does not have mass or electrical charge.

Facts About Photons

• Photons are elementary particles and are known as the quantum of the electromagnetic food.
• These types of particles cannot be divided into sub-components like other particles of matter.
• Photons are unique and stand out from other particles because of their properties. This is because photons have the properties of waves as well as the properties of a normal particle. This means that it can be refracted by a lens and interfere with other waves while simultaneously being analyzed as a particle of matter.
• Photons are also unique in the sense that they are particles with no mass.
• Photons also do not decay similar to other particles and they also carry no electrical charge.
• Polarized lighting is formed from the properties of photons because of the particle’s ability to move across two planes simultaneously. This means they are able to move both vertically and horizontally across planes.
• Typically a photon moves through empty space at the speed of light. However, when a photon hits other particles of matter it will slow down considerably.

• Another unique characteristic of photons is that they are always in motion. This is especially true if they are in a vacuum. Photons move at a constant velocity of approximately the speed of light which is measured to be 2.9929x10 to the 8th power per second.
• Photons are destroyed when radiation is emitted and have zero mass and no energy when at rest.