Photons, the fundamental particles of light, do not have a lifespan in the traditional sense. They are not subject to decay or disintegration like other particles.
Here's why:
- Photons are massless: They lack rest mass, meaning they are always in motion at the speed of light.
- Photons are stable: They don't decay into other particles.
- Photons can interact: They can be absorbed or emitted by matter, but they don't "die" in the process.
Think of it this way: A photon can travel for billions of years through the vastness of space, traversing galaxies and interacting with matter along the way. It can be absorbed by a distant star, only to be re-emitted as a new photon. This process can continue indefinitely.
So, while a photon's journey may end when it's absorbed, the energy it carries is not lost. Instead, it's transformed into another form of energy, or it continues its journey as a new photon.
In essence, photons don't "die" but rather change their form or continue their journey through the universe.
