Senior Member
Posts: 606
Threads: 67
Joined: 2010-11
Okay, so I was wondering; does light possess kinetic energy? If so, how much kinetic energy does it possess per photon such that we aren't buffeted every time we go out in the sun? I don't know if I should be putting this here but I was curious, and it seemed to fit this forum best.
Posting Freak
Posts: 4,047
Threads: 33
Joined: 2008-07
Yes they do.
Photons of light have energy E=pc, where p is the momentum and classically, p= mc (so it also fufils E=mc^2).
However, since light is effectively massless, and yet has a momentum, there must be another expression for momentum.
p = h/wavelength of light.
h = planks constant, 6.63*10^-34
Since we can see wavelengths of light from 400 to 750 nm, energy is higher at lower wavelengths, so for 400nm
E= 6.63*10^(-34)*3*10^8 /(400*10^(-9))= 5*10^(-19) J per photon.
So yeah, not much energy from one photon. Of course, there are photons outside of wavelengths we can see, but any wavelengths significantly shorter than 400nm are blocked by the earths atmosphere anyway.
Senior Member
Posts: 606
Threads: 67
Joined: 2010-11
Oh, I see. So basically we are buffeted, but to such an infinitesimal degree that we don't notice it?
Posting Freak
Posts: 6,052
Threads: 182
Joined: 2008-07
Not to mention that kinetic energy is not necessarily transferred as translational energy. It can become vibration energy, excite some electrons etc. which wouldn't really make you fall to the side from recieving a flash of light.