Re: Nuclear Isomer Decay: A Possibility for Breakthrough Space

[Hulltmsr@aol.com]

In a message dated 99-03-31 12:22:21 EST, you write:

<< Einstein's relativity theory predicts that photons have momentum p = E/c.
 This prediction was first confirmed by Compton scattering, and has since
 been confirmed by many other observations. >>

Is it really momentum??  Or did he just say that the chopped electromagnetic 
wave segment travels through space at the speed of light?

Many energy conversions occur in physical observations.  When a gamma photon 
of sufficient energy strikes an atom's orbital electron, some or all of the 
photon energy is absorbed by the electron(in the same manner the sunlight 
photons are absorbed by my skin and if enough are absorbed I get sunburned).  

If the absorbed energy is sufficient, i.e., Ep=We+KEe    

Where:

We = energy equivalent to the work necessary to over come the forces holding 
the
         electron in orbit
KEe=kinetic energy of electron and >0

then the electron will be ejected from orbit and the energy conversion would 
have the appearance that momentum was transferred when a simple energy 
transfer is what really occured.

Just an opinion and it's mine.

Thomas M. Hull
hulltmsr@aol.com
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