A photon is neutral. Yet it is said to possess an electric field component (as well as a magnetic component). If it has an electric field, why is a photon not negatively charged?
1 Answer
Mar 24, 2017
Well a photon is not the source of electrical and magnetic fields.
It is merely a force carrier particle which exist in the electromagnetic field.
Explanation:
For an electric or magnetic field to exist in a region, there must be charges (stationary or in motion respectively) or some changing magnetic and electric field generating each other (in accordance to Maxwell's equations).
Wherever there is an electromagnetic field, the photon exists. It exists because there is a field. It is not the source of the field however.
To put simply, the particle-like interpretation of the electromagnetic field involves photons which are particles constituting and Electromagnetic field. In that case they are neutral electrically.
