How do photons carry momentum without mass?

In short, even though photons have no mass, they still have momentum proportional to their energy, given by the formula p=E/c. Because photons have no mass, all of the momentum of a photon actually comes from its energy and frequency as described by the Planck-Einstein relation E=hf.

How does a photon transfer momentum?

Particles carry momentum as well as energy. Despite photons having no mass, there has long been evidence that EM radiation carries momentum. Evidently, photons carry momentum in the direction of their motion (away from the Sun), and some of this momentum is transferred to dust particles in collisions.

Do photons have energy and momentum without mass?

Light is composed of photons, so we could ask if the photon has mass. The answer is then definitely “no”: the photon is a massless particle. According to theory it has energy and momentum but no mass, and this is confirmed by experiment to within strict limits.

Do Solar sails use photons?

Solar sails fly on photons, whereas the solar wind is made up of different ionized particles ejected by the Sun. These particles move slower than light and create a force that is less than one percent as strong as light pressure.

Is it possible that photons can have momentum?

Particles carry momentum as well as energy. Despite photons having no mass, there has long been evidence that EM radiation carries momentum. (Maxwell and others who studied EM waves predicted that they would carry momentum.) It is now a well-established fact that photons do have momentum.

How do solar sails work if photons have no mass?

Solar sails, such as this NASA prototype, are thin and lightweight, with a large, reflective surface. Although photons have no mass, they carry momentum; when a photon bounces off a solar sail, some of its momentum is transferred to the sail, which pushes the sail forward.