photon (fō´tŏn), the particle composing light and other forms of electromagnetic radiation,
sometimes called light quantum. The photon has no charge and no mass. About the beginning of the 20th cent., the classical theory that light is emitted and absorbed by matter in a continuous stream came under criticism because it led to incorrect predictions about several effects, notably the radiation of light by incandescent bodies (see blackbody) and the photoelectric effect. These effects can be explained only by assuming that the energy is transferred in discrete packets, or photons, the energy of each photon being equal to the frequency of the light multiplied by Planck's constant, h. Because the value of Planck's constant is extremely small (6.62 × 10-27 erg sec.), the discrete nature of light energy is not evident in most optical phenomena. The light imparts energy and momentum to a charged particle when one of the photons collides with it, as is demonstrated by the Compton effect. See quantum theory.
How to Cite This Article[]
ss414"Photons" A Mini Encyclopedia. 2024. Did You Know Wiki. 19 April. 2024 <www.dyk.wikia.com>
ss414"Photons" A mini Encyclopedia. 2024. dky.wikia.com. (April 19, 2024) "SS414"
ss414"Photons" A mini Encyclopedia. 2024. Retrieved April 19, 2024 from dky.wikia.com "SS414"
Citing your sources helps people know your not plagiarizing. With Did You know? Wikia's Citation feature, you can site your sources in three different Styles
MLA[]
Modern-Language-Association This is the most common citation style. It is mainly used for research reports in schools.
APA[]
American-Psychological-Association Another common style. This one is mainly used for College and higher grade schools.
Chicago[]
As you would assume, common in Chicago. This is mainly used in the lower Midwest and California areasV-E-D Citation Styles may be different. Only use Citation when you have permission to use wikis