0
If light particles have no mass how is it that like particles of mass they display the characteristics of particles of mass like in the gravitational lensing of light in space?
Wiki User
∙ 13y ago
Light, though it travels in a straight line in a vacuum, must follow any curves in spacetime. Recall that the volume of the universe is called spacetime, and spacetime itself is distorted or "bent" by gravity. Light, though it travels in a straight line in a vacuum, will follow any gravity-induced curves in spacetime. An example might be the deformation of spacetime around a black hole, and the resultant gravitational lensing that can occur because of it.
Light particles (photons) have no rest mass. They have an equivalent mass worked out using any of several equations or combinations
m = E/c2 or E=mc2
and since E = fxh
m = fh/c 2
m = h/Lc or L=h/mc (de Broglie wavelength for light)
where m is the mass, E is the energy of the photon, c is the speed of light in a vacuum, f is the frequency, h is Plank's constant (6.626 x 10-34 joules/sec) and L is the wavelength (usually greek lambda).
Under relativity theory, it's not strictly required for photons to have mass in order to be affected by a gravitational field. Space itself is bent by gravity, and light takes the straightest possible path through bent spacetime.
Wiki User
∙ 13y ago
Add your answer:
Earn +20 pts
Why does light show gravitational lensing if it is not a state of matter?
Gravitational lensing does not depend on a the state of matter of light, rather it is an expression of the geometric curvature of space/time due to mass.
Why do astronomers theorize that most of matter in galaxies and clusters is dark matter?
Dark matter may be invisible to light, but it can still be detected, through its gravitational interactions. Specifically, it can be detected: * By the fact that galaxies rotate way too fast, for the amount of known matter. * By gravitational lensing.
What are three factors that determine the apparent magnitude of a star?
Its real (absolute) magnitude; its distance from Earth; the amount of light that's absorbed by matter between the star and us (extinction); distortions due to gravitational lensing.
What is the definition of gravitational?
Gravitational is a term used to refer adjectively to gravity, or to the actions associated with or resulting from the force of gravity. A good example is gravitational lensing, which refers to the effect that a massive gravity well has on light originating behind it and moving "around" it to reach an observer.
What is the interplanetary motion formula by Einstein and how it was been proven by solar eclipse?
Einstein says that he could prove the effect of gravitational lensing by looking at the moon during a solar eclipse and you will see stars behind the sun. Im not sure of the formula.
What is gravitational lensing?
Gravitational lensing is the bending of light around a massive object due to gravity.
Why would gravitational lensing create multiple images instead of just a distorted one?
Gravitational lensing creates two images because light from a given source is being bent around both sides of the object doing the lensing.
Why does light show gravitational lensing if it is not a state of matter?
Gravitational lensing does not depend on a the state of matter of light, rather it is an expression of the geometric curvature of space/time due to mass.
Is gravitational a word?
Yes. It is an adjective meaning "of, relating to, or involving gravitation." It is used terms such as "gravitational acceleration" and "gravitational lensing."
What is lense?
Gravitational lensing is the bending of light around a massive object due to gravity.
What is the estimated universal mass percentage of gravity-lensing dark matter?
Dark matter is estimated to be responsible for about 27% of the total mass-energy in the universe (normal matter is a bit under 5%)."Gravity-lensing" is essentially a meaningless phrase here; all mass causes gravitational lensing, so there's no such thing as "non-gravity-lensing" dark matter.
What two-word term describes the bending of light passing between celestial objects?
Gravitational lensing.
What evidence is there of the existence of dark matter?
The gravitational effects. For example, gravitational lensing; also, galaxies spin way too fast for the amount of known matter.
What has the author Christopher R Burns written?
Christopher R. Burns has written: 'Gravitational lensing of polarized sources'
Does gravitational lensing magnify distant galaxies at distances up to 13 billion light years behind galaxy clusters?
Yes. Lensing magnifies the image of galaxies behind distant galaxy clusters but also greatly distorts the image.
What has the author Gordon K Squires written?
Gordon K. Squires has written: 'Mapping the dark matter with weak gravitational lensing' -- subject(s): Physics Theses
Why do stars look like points of light?
The bending of light around a large distribution of matter, such as a cluster of galaxies is known as gravitational lensing. Gravitational lensing occurs due to the curving of space-time caused by a massive gravitational field caused by either by a large distribution of matter, such as a galaxy cluster or a black hole. This curving of space-time causes light rays passing through to bend around the gravitational center. A very large amount of matter is needed in order for the lensing effect to occur, typically in the range of a hundred to a thousand galaxies. The bending caused by a single star would be negligible.
