👉 Light particles, also known as photons, are fundamental entities that exhibit both wave-like and particle-like properties, a concept central to quantum mechanics. These particles of light are massless and travel at the speed of light in a vacuum, approximately 299,792 kilometers per second. Unlike matter particles, photons do not have an internal structure; they are pure energy. They interact with matter primarily through electromagnetic forces, which is why they can be emitted by accelerating charges and absorbed by charged particles. Photons come in various energies, corresponding to different wavelengths of light, ranging from radio waves (low energy) to gamma rays (high energy). This dual nature—particle and wave—explains phenomena such as the photoelectric effect, where light can eject electrons from a material, and interference patterns, which demonstrate their wave-like behavior. Understanding photons is crucial for fields like optics, quantum computing, and astrophysics, as they underpin technologies from lasers to solar panels and provide insights into the fundamental workings of the universe.
