Momentum of light

[Taha 2D]

I am confused as to how photons have momentum since they dont have a rest mass. (p=mv)

[Yuehan_Wu_3K]

The photon has a mass even though it's very small. It should not be ignored.

[Taha 2D]

The photon has a mass even though it's very small. It should not be ignored.

from what I've read online it seems that a photon doesnt have 'rest mass' because its never at rest but since it has energy it has mass. I guess i dont understand what rest mass refers too

[Anastasia Yulo 1C]

Correct, photons do not have mass but they still have a momentum which allows it to carry Energy. An object can have momentum without mas if it is a wave. A wave transports momentum via its waving motion and not by physically transporting an object with mass.

[tholz11]

Momentum can be defined as the product between energy and velocity, and as a photon has both, they do have momentum.

[Brett Lieuallen 2A]

Like you're saying, a photon does not have mass. And like others have said it has momentum due to its motion and energy. Thus, it does not have traditional 'rest mass'. This means that theoretically should the photon come to rest it would not have mass. However, it is given a theoretical mass due to its momentum. I do not know if this makes sense but I hope it helps.

[105618850]

The concept that you are questioning can be best explained by the equation E=pc. Although a photon does not technically have mass, it has energy which is derived from the motion it possesses.