photon etymology

Etymology

• Greek: φῶς (phôs), meaning “light”

Meaning

• A quantum of electromagnetic radiation (light).

Origin

The term "photon" was coined by physicist Gilbert N. Lewis in 1926. Lewis proposed the name as a singular form of the word "light quantum," which had been used earlier by Albert Einstein to describe the quantized nature of light.

Use

The term "photon" is now widely used in physics to refer to the fundamental particle of light and other forms of electromagnetic radiation. Photons have no mass and travel at the speed of light. They are the carriers of electromagnetic force and play a crucial role in quantum mechanics and other areas of physics.

Additional Notes

• Lewis's use of the Greek root "phôs" for "light" is appropriate because it is the same root that is used in the words "photo" (light picture) and "photosynthesis" (the use of light energy by plants).
• The plural form of "photon" is "photons."
• Photons are often represented by the symbol γ (gamma).

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