Photon
Photon
Photon (/ˈfoʊtɒn/; from the Ancient Greek: φῶς, romanized: phôs, lit. 'light') is a type of elementary particle, the quantum of the electromagnetic field including electromagnetic radiation such as light, and the force carrier for the electromagnetic force (even when static via virtual photons).
Etymology
The term "photon" was coined by the physicist Gilbert N. Lewis in 1926. It is derived from the Greek word "phôs", meaning light. Since photons are the smallest discrete amount or quantum of light, Lewis combined "phôs" with the suffix "-on", which is used in physics to denote a particle.
Properties
Photons are massless, so they always move at the speed of light in vacuum, 299792458 m/s. The photon is also responsible for carrying electromagnetic force, which is one of the four fundamental forces of nature.
Related Terms
- Quantum: The smallest possible discrete unit of any physical property, such as energy or matter.
- Electromagnetic Field: A physical field produced by electrically charged objects. It affects the behavior of charged objects in the vicinity of the field.
- Electromagnetic Radiation: The waves of the electromagnetic field, propagating (radiating) through space, carrying electromagnetic radiant energy.
- Electromagnetic Force: A type of physical interaction that occurs between electrically charged particles.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Photon
- Wikipedia's article - Photon
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