1. Photon-Matter Interactions:
* Absorption: A photon can be absorbed by an atom or molecule, causing the atom to jump to a higher energy level. This is the basis of many processes like photosynthesis and the operation of solar panels.
* Scattering: A photon can collide with an atom or molecule and change its direction, possibly also losing some energy. This is how light interacts with objects, leading to reflection and refraction.
* Photoelectric effect: A photon can eject an electron from a metal surface. This effect is used in photomultipliers and solar cells.
* Pair production: If a photon has enough energy (more than 1.022 MeV), it can spontaneously convert into an electron and a positron in the presence of a strong electric field, like that of an atomic nucleus.
2. Photon-Photon Interactions:
* Photon-photon scattering: Photons can interact with each other, though this is very rare because photons are chargeless. This interaction occurs when two photons exchange energy and momentum, leading to a change in their direction. This is extremely difficult to observe experimentally but is predicted by quantum electrodynamics.
* Pair production: Two high-energy photons can collide to produce an electron-positron pair. This process is even rarer than photon-photon scattering.
3. Photon-Antiparticle Interactions:
* Annihilation: A photon can annihilate with its antiparticle, a virtual photon, resulting in the release of energy. This process is important in particle physics and cosmology.
In summary:
"Striking of a photon" can refer to a variety of interactions, each with its own consequences. Understanding the specific context is crucial to interpreting the effects.
Let me know if you have a specific scenario in mind, and I can give you more detailed information.