What is a photon?
In: Physics
A photon is a teeny tiny little packet of energy. Specifically, a photon is an excitation of the electro-magnetic field.
We can think of the electro-magnetic field like a pond. When we disturb the surface of a pond by tossing a pebble into it, waves ripple out, carrying the energy of the pebble. Similarly when we disturb the electro-magnetic field photons ripple out, carrying the energy that was applied.
There are a couple of ways we can interact with the EM field. One way is to wave a magnet over an an electrical conductor. The energy from that motion is converted into electricity which interacts with the EM field and produces those waves.
Side note: If we had an electronic current moving back and forth very quickly then we would be creating a bunch of photons (EM waves). If we had a way rectify (read) those waves then we would have a radio! That’s what a radio is. 🙂
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