Mass and light

[mcbethcg]

It is my understanding that photons have no mass.<br /><br />It is also my understanding that mass can be converted into energy, like photons.<br /><br />Here is the question.<br /><br />Does light that falls into a black hole contribute to its mass?<br /><br />Does light created in a black hole subtract from its mass?

 

[kyle_baron]

<font color="yellow"><br />Does light that falls into a black hole contribute to its mass? </font><br /><br />Does the light from the sun that falls on the earth increase it's mass? No, because the energy is gone, or absorbed. If it were to stick around and accumulate, then the answer would be yes. The same answer for a black hole, IMO.<br /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font size="4"><strong></strong></font></p> </div>

 

[mindmute]

When you break it down, mass does not even have mass.

 

[nexium]

Energy can not be distroyed, but it can be converted to mass, so my guess is Earth is made more massive by the photons it absorbs. Earth is however close to equilibrium, as it reflects some photons and radiates infrared photons into space. Apparently the mass equivelent of a blue photon is tiny, and red photons have even less mass equivelent. Neil

 

[mcbethcg]

My guess is that yes, light that falls into a black hole does add to it's mass. But that would mean that light is not really massless, wouldn't it?

 

[kyle_baron]

We are each entitled to our opinions, guesses, and interpretations. I haven't changed my mind. The energy simply vanished. I believe the photon does not have any rest mass. I guess this would violate the conservation of energy. Who cares? <img src="/images/icons/wink.gif" /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font size="4"><strong></strong></font></p> </div>

 

[pyoko]

Light had no mass, but it has momentum. It can hit something with force. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p> </p><p> </p><p><span style="color:#ff9900" class="Apple-style-span">-pyoko</span> <span style="color:#333333" class="Apple-style-span">the</span> <span style="color:#339966" class="Apple-style-span">duck </span></p><p><span style="color:#339966" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="color:#808080;font-style:italic" class="Apple-style-span">It is by will alone I set my mind in motion.</span></span></p> </div>