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Physics, Astronomy & Cosmology / Might photons have mass and the speed of light not be absolute?
« on: 15/11/2015 17:40:41 »
Is it possible that photons have mass and that the speed of light is not absolute?
“IF” I understand the theory correctly, it was originally assumed that nothing can travel faster than the speed of light, and that since photons just happen to travel at the speed of light they must have no mass.
But, isn't this a circular argument? By definition, the speed at which photons travel is the speed of light.
Since light (photons) can be influenced by gravity, magnetism, and other things, is it possible that photons actually do have mass and that the particles that travel faster than photons (faster than the speed of light) simply have less mass?
I admit my “understanding” of these things is limited and dated, but this is an honest question for me.
Thank you for your help.
“IF” I understand the theory correctly, it was originally assumed that nothing can travel faster than the speed of light, and that since photons just happen to travel at the speed of light they must have no mass.
But, isn't this a circular argument? By definition, the speed at which photons travel is the speed of light.
Since light (photons) can be influenced by gravity, magnetism, and other things, is it possible that photons actually do have mass and that the particles that travel faster than photons (faster than the speed of light) simply have less mass?
I admit my “understanding” of these things is limited and dated, but this is an honest question for me.
Thank you for your help.