Which of the following are the properties of photons?
(A) The rest mass of a photon is zero
(B) Each photon has a definite energy and an indefinite linear momentum
(C) A photon may collide with a material particle and the total energy and the total momentum remain conserved in such a collision
(D) Photons are deflected by electric and magnetic fields
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → (A) and (C) only
(A) The rest mass of a photon is zero — ✔ True
(B) Each photon has a definite energy and definite linear momentum — ✖ Incorrect (momentum is definite, not indefinite)
(C) A photon may collide with a material particle, and total energy and momentum remain conserved — ✔ True (as in Compton effect)
(D) Photons are deflected by electric and magnetic fields — ✖ False (they are neutral and not affected by E or B fields)
Final Answer:
(A) and (C)