Naked Science Forum

On the Lighter Side => New Theories => Topic started by: DRoberts on 29/07/2014 11:38:21

Title: Could you measure the mass of Photons by colliding them inside of a diamond?
Post by: DRoberts on 29/07/2014 11:38:21
Could you determine if Photons are truly 'mass-less' by colliding two of them inside of a diamond and determining the difference in the mass of the diamond before and after?
Title: Re: Could you measure the mass of Photons by colliding them inside of a diamond?
Post by: PmbPhy on 29/07/2014 12:41:03
Could you determine if Photons are truly 'mass-less' by colliding two of them inside of a diamond and determining the difference in the mass of the diamond before and after?
No. The diamond would absorb the energy of the photon and the mass of the diamond would increase due to the mass-energy of the photon. I.e. that energy increases the mass of the diamond.