## Difference Between Photon and Electron

$c=\lambda v$

Andrew Nguyen 2I
Posts: 68
Joined: Fri Sep 29, 2017 7:07 am

### Difference Between Photon and Electron

Can someone explain the relationship between photons and electrons. When E=hv is used, the energy of the photon is discussed, but is the electron involved in this equation at all?

Deborah Cheng 1F
Posts: 50
Joined: Thu Jul 13, 2017 3:00 am

### Re: Difference Between Photon and Electron

I believe electrons are the negatively charged particles in the atom, and photons are packets of energy. Light is made up of photons, which can remove electrons from the surface of a metal if they have sufficient energy to overcome the threshold energy of the electron (as discussed in the photoelectric effect experiment example during lecture). E=hv just gives the energy of the photon.

Michele Shi 1K
Posts: 33
Joined: Thu Jul 27, 2017 3:00 am

### Re: Difference Between Photon and Electron

Photons and electrons can be related especially during the Photoelectric effect. The photon has the energy going in and must have enough energy (threshold energy) of the metal in order to have an electron be released.

Mila Therese Reyes 1E
Posts: 17
Joined: Fri Sep 29, 2017 7:03 am

### Re: Difference Between Photon and Electron

Just to add to the above answers:
Photons allow the electrons to move between energy (quantum) states. As an electron moves to a higher energy level, it absorbs a photon. As an electron moves to a lower energy level, it releases a photon. The amount of photons (energy) needed to move between states differs from atom to atom. The electron is indirectly involved in E=hv as the energy of a photon depends on the electron's change between energy states.

Guangyu Li 2J
Posts: 50
Joined: Fri Sep 29, 2017 7:07 am
Been upvoted: 1 time

### Re: Difference Between Photon and Electron

1. Difference in the definition: Photons are the basic units in the electromagnetic radiation that move in the speed of light in vacuum; Electrons are parts of the atom and move around the nucleus in certain orbitals.
2. Difference in the charge: Photons are neutral while electrons are negatively charges actually.
3. Difference in the spin direction: Electrons are able to spin( we use spin quantum numbers to describe its direction:+1/2 represents positive direction and -1/2 represents negative direction); while photons are not able to spin.
4. Difference in the capacity of transferring information: Photons are more capable in transferring information than electrons do.

Sophie Krylova 2J
Posts: 59
Joined: Fri Sep 29, 2017 7:06 am

### Re: Difference Between Photon and Electron

Adding on, this equation can help you figure out the wavelength of light (photons), but not the wavelength of electrons, because c (the speed of *light*) is directly involved with this equation. For wavelength of electrons or any bodies that have mass (mass of photons isn't really discussed) use de Broglie's equation!