photon

American  

[foh-ton] / ˈfoʊ tɒn /

noun

1. a quantum of electromagnetic radiation, usually considered as an elementary particle that is its own antiparticle and that has zero rest mass and charge and a spin of one. γ

---

photon British  

/ ˈfəʊtɒn /

noun

1. a quantum of electromagnetic radiation, regarded as a particle with zero rest mass and charge, unit spin, and energy equal to the product of the frequency of the radiation and the Planck constant

---

photon Scientific  

/ fō′tŏn′ /

1. The subatomic particle that carries the electromagnetic force and is the quantum of electromagnetic radiation. The photon has a rest mass of zero, but has measurable momentum, exhibits deflection by a gravitational field, and can exert a force. It has no electric charge, has an indefinitely long lifetime, and is its own antiparticle.

2. See Note at electromagnetic radiation See Table at subatomic particle

---

photon Cultural  

1. The quantum, or bundle of energy, in which light and other forms of electromagnetic radiation are emitted. (See atom.)

---

Etymology

Origin of photon

First recorded in 1900–05; phot- + -on ¹

Example Sentences

As photons interact rhythmically with electrons, the allowed energy bands shift.

From Science Daily

The shadowy and hazy reflections emanating from them, though merely photons, evoke the occult.

From The Wall Street Journal

One alternative idea involves photons that may have been misidentified in earlier experiments or could point to new physics.

From Science Daily

They succeeded in making radioactive thorium nuclei absorb and release photons in a controlled way, similar to how electrons behave inside atoms.

From Science Daily

However, it could become detectable at the highest photon energies, specifically in very-high-energy gamma rays.

From Science Daily