The behavior of photons, as particles of light, can indeed seem counterintuitive when considering traditional concepts of momentum and acceleration. However, it is important to understand that the behavior of photons is governed by the laws of quantum mechanics, which are different from classical mechanics.
In quantum mechanics, particles such as photons are described by wave-particle duality. They exhibit both particle-like and wave-like properties. Photons are massless particles, and according to the theory of special relativity, they always travel at the speed of light in a vacuum (denoted as 'c').
When a photon is created, it is not "accelerating" in the conventional sense. Instead, it is generated with its initial velocity already set to the speed of light. In other words, the moment a photon comes into existence, it is already traveling at the maximum possible speed.
This behavior can be understood through the principles of quantum field theory, where the creation and annihilation of particles, including photons, are described as excitations of their respective quantum fields. These fields pervade all of space, and particles emerge as localized disturbances or quanta within these fields.
It is crucial to note that this behavior is specific to massless particles like photons. Massive particles, such as electrons, follow different rules and require energy input to reach the speed of light. They cannot achieve or exceed the speed of light due to their non-zero rest mass.
While the behavior of photons and the concept of instantaneous travel at the speed of light may seem unfathomable based on our everyday experiences, it is a fundamental aspect of our understanding of the universe as described by the theories of quantum mechanics and special relativity.