Can There Be Massive Photons? A Pedagogical Glance at the Origin of Mass

Autor/inn/en	Robles, P.; Claro, F.
Titel	Can There Be Massive Photons? A Pedagogical Glance at the Origin of Mass
Quelle	In: European Journal of Physics, 33 (2012) 5, S.1217-1226 (10 Seiten) PDF als Volltext Verfügbarkeit
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	0143-0807
DOI	10.1088/0143-0807/33/5/1217
Schlagwörter	Physics; Scientific Concepts; Science Instruction; Energy; Light; Motion; Magnets; Secondary School Science; College Science + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Physik; Teaching of science; Science education; Natural sciences Lessons; Naturwissenschaftlicher Unterricht; Energie; Licht; Bewegungsablauf; Stabmagnet
Abstract	Among the most startling experiences a student encounters is learning that, unlike electrons and other elementary particles, photons have no mass. Under certain circumstances, however, the light quantum behaves as if it did have a finite mass. Starting from Maxwell's equations, we discuss how this arises when light interacts with a charged plasma, or travels along a waveguide. The motion of such photons is analysed using kinematic concepts of special relativity, and we show how a cutoff frequency for effective propagation appears. Seeing how an environment may yield an apparent dynamic mass to the photon paves the way for later understanding: might the Higgs boson field provide other particles, such as the electron, with a mass? This paper is addressed to mid-level physics students, teachers and lecturers, requiring only a knowledge of classical electromagnetic and special relativity theories. (Contains 4 footnotes.) (As Provided).
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Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2017/4/10