Which statement correctly describes photons?

Which statement correctly describes photons?

• A. They are discrete packets of energy
• B. They are discrete packets of charge
• C. They are a form of matter
• D. They behave as waves only

Answer: (A)

Photons are discrete packets of energy, known as quanta of light. Their energy is proportional to frequency (E = hf), and they carry momentum (p = E/c) even though they have no rest mass. This is why light can transfer energy and momentum in interactions like the photoelectric effect and Compton scattering, and why they exhibit both particle-like and wave-like behavior. They are not discrete packets of charge, so that option doesn’t fit. They are not a form of matter, so that option is incorrect. They do not behave only as waves; their particle-like nature is essential in many phenomena, so that option also doesn’t fit.

Photons are discrete packets of energy, known as quanta of light. Their energy is proportional to frequency (E = hf), and they carry momentum (p = E/c) even though they have no rest mass. This is why light can transfer energy and momentum in interactions like the photoelectric effect and Compton scattering, and why they exhibit both particle-like and wave-like behavior.

They are not discrete packets of charge, so that option doesn’t fit. They are not a form of matter, so that option is incorrect. They do not behave only as waves; their particle-like nature is essential in many phenomena, so that option also doesn’t fit.