Jump to content

Can a bundle of photons attract an electron?

Featured Replies

An intelligible question would be appreciated! What do you mean by a "bundle of photons"? A single photon or a "bundle" would go past the electron "at the speed of light" so while there will be a slight gravitational attraction the photons would go past too fast for it to be noticeable.

Edited by Country Boy

  • Author

An intelligible question would be appreciated! What do you mean by a "bundle of photons"? A single photon or a "bundle" would go past the electron "at the speed of light" so while there will be a slight gravitational attraction the photons would go past too fast for it to be noticeable.

thank you .HallsofIvy

An intelligible question would be appreciated! What do you mean by a "bundle of photons"? A single photon or a "bundle" would go past the electron "at the speed of light" so while there will be a slight gravitational attraction the photons would go past too fast for it to be noticeable.

well they say the Earth is attracted by the Sun

well they say the Earth is attracted by the Sun

 

 

And they are correct. I'm not sure how that is relevant to the question. Apart from the minute gravitational effect mentioned, photons do not attract electrons (as photons have no charge). I think a photon can interact with ("hit") an electron and change its direction. And photons can change the energy levels of electrons in atoms (even knocking them out of the atom, if the photon has enough energy).

 

But attraction? No.

  • Author

And they are correct. I'm not sure how that is relevant to the question. Apart from the minute gravitational effect mentioned, photons do not attract electrons (as photons have no charge). I think a photon can interact with ("hit") an electron and change its direction. And photons can change the energy levels of electrons in atoms (even knocking them out of the atom, if the photon has enough energy).

 

But attraction? No.well they say the Earth is attracted by the Sun

where is the force of attraction comes from ?

Photons are chargeless particles. Therefore they do not exert an electrostatic force of attraction on negatively-charged electrons, having o charge of -1.6 X 10^-19 coulomb.

Yes.

Pile up enough photons ( they are bosons, so can be piled up ) to an adequate energy density, and you will produce a gravitational field strong enough to attract an electron.

  • Author

Yes.

Pile up enough photons ( they are bosons, so can be piled up ) to an adequate energy density, and you will produce a gravitational field strong enough to attract an electron.

Thanks

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Important Information

We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.

Configure browser push notifications

Chrome (Android)
  1. Tap the lock icon next to the address bar.
  2. Tap Permissions → Notifications.
  3. Adjust your preference.
Chrome (Desktop)
  1. Click the padlock icon in the address bar.
  2. Select Site settings.
  3. Find Notifications and adjust your preference.