Can Visible Light Produce Heat When Absorbed?

In summary, the conversation discussed the statement that dark materials absorb more thermal energy than lighter colored materials. It was mentioned that visible light photons usually produce heat upon absorption, with some exceptions such as in photovoltaic cells. The mechanism for this conversion of photons into heat is through absorption, leading to motion of atoms and molecules. The conversation also touched on the primary cause of atmospheric heating, which is due to the absorption of solar radiation in the visible range. There was also a discussion on the behavior of atoms in solids, where the interaction with visible light is governed by the collective behavior of the material rather than individual atoms. Finally, there was a brief mention of a paper that discusses a coupled one-dimensional radiative-convective, chemistry_transport
  • #1
WallyK
2
0
"dark materials absorb more thermal energy than lighter colored materials"

Initially I thought this statement was very straight forward and obvious... then someone mentioned that visible light photons do not produce heat when absorbed and that IR was the only component that would be translated into heat. This seems to be very counter intuitive to me

Here's my question:

Say I had a flat, smooth layer of some material that happened to be colored black. Say this material is very absorptive of all visible light frequencies.

If I was able to expose this material to an energy source that only generated visible light (400-700nm) would this material rise in temperature?

If yes, what is the mechanism that converts the photons into heat?

If not, then why would color even matter since all absorption/reflection of the heat producing frequencies occur in IR (or UV)?


Thanks for any clarification you can provide
 
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  • #2
then someone mentioned that visible light photons do not produce heat when absorbed
Usually, they do. There are some exceptions (like photovoltaic cells), where the energy is used in different ways.
If I was able to expose this material to an energy source that only generated visible light (400-700nm) would this material rise in temperature?
It would.
If yes, what is the mechanism that converts the photons into heat?
Absorption, leading to motion of atoms/molecules.
 
  • #3
Whoever told you that visible light doesn't produce heat upon absorption is 100% WRONG.
 
  • #4
Say I had a flat, smooth layer of some material that happened to be colored black. Say this material is very absorptive of all visible light frequencies

That's why it's black.
 
  • #5
The primary mechanism for heating of the atmosphere is by ozone absorption in the visible.
 
  • #6
Chestermiller said:
The primary mechanism for heating of the atmosphere is by ozone absorption in the visible.

Not true. The primary cause of atmospheric heating is due to the absorption of heat from the ground.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Troposphere#Temperature
 
  • #7
mfb said:
Absorption, leading to motion of atoms/molecules.

mfb, thanks for your response. From my understanding, the visible light is absorbed by the electrons which drives them into a higher orbital state. Do you know of any references on which I can read up on how these electrons then convert their energy into atomic motion leading to heat.
 
  • #8
WallyK said:
mfb, thanks for your response. From my understanding, the visible light is absorbed by the electrons which drives them into a higher orbital state. Do you know of any references on which I can read up on how these electrons then convert their energy into atomic motion leading to heat.

Actually much of the light is absorbed by the atoms/molecule as a whole and converted directly into thermal motion. Unless the light is exactly the right frequency, an electron will not absorb it and jump to a higher energy orbital.
 
  • #9
Drakkith said:
Not true. The primary cause of atmospheric heating is due to the absorption of heat from the ground.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Troposphere#Temperature

Sorry. I meant to say "heating from solar radiation in the visible." Heat from the ground is absorbed by the atmosphere in the IR and re-radiated back into space so that the net heating rate of the Earth is zero (at steady state), assuming no anthropogenic perturbations.
 
  • #10
WallyK said:
mfb, thanks for your response. From my understanding, the visible light is absorbed by the electrons which drives them into a higher orbital state. Do you know of any references on which I can read up on how these electrons then convert their energy into atomic motion leading to heat.

Please note that, since we are talking about "material" (per your first post), this implies things such as solids. For the energy scale we are talking about, the property that we are dealing with are not "atomic orbitals", but rather a collective behavior of many, many atoms that have formed that solid. A isolated Cu atom has discrete energy levels, whereas the Cu wire that you are familiar with is a solid that has energy bands which are not found in individual Cu atoms.

So when you are dealing with "materials", the interaction of visible light with that material are governs by the collective behavior, not by individual atoms in that material. The light could easily be absorbed by the lattice ions, causing an increase in lattice ions vibrations.

So moral of the story here is that, if you learn that atoms in solids to not behave the same the same way as when they are individually isolated, then you have learned something.

Zz.
 
  • #11
Chestermiller said:
Sorry. I meant to say "heating from solar radiation in the visible." Heat from the ground is absorbed by the atmosphere in the IR and re-radiated back into space so that the net heating rate of the Earth is zero (at steady state), assuming no anthropogenic perturbations.

Not sure what you mean here. The ground transfers heat to the atmosphere mostly through physical contact. At the top of the atmosphere the heat can radiate away as IR, cooling the planet. Is that what you were saying?
 
  • #12
Drakkith said:
Not sure what you mean here. The ground transfers heat to the atmosphere mostly through physical contact. At the top of the atmosphere the heat can radiate away as IR, cooling the planet. Is that what you were saying?

No. The way you describe it is not how it works. See the following paper:

Owens, A. J., Hales, C. H., Filkin, D. L., Miller, C. Steed, J. M., and Jesson, J. P., A Coupled One-Dimensional Radiative-Convective, Chemistry_Transport Model of the Atmosphere, 1. Model Structure and Steady State Perturbation Calculations, Journal of Geophysical Research, Vol. 90, No. D1, Pages 2283-2311, February, 20, 1985.
 
  • #13
Chestermiller said:
Sorry. I meant to say "heating from solar radiation in the visible." Heat from the ground is absorbed by the atmosphere in the IR and re-radiated back into space so that the net heating rate of the Earth is zero (at steady state), assuming no anthropogenic perturbations.
Your posts are confusing to me, so let's just look at the numbers:

LWRadiationBudget.gif
 
  • #14
Chestermiller said:
No. The way you describe it is not how it works. See the following paper:

Owens, A. J., Hales, C. H., Filkin, D. L., Miller, C. Steed, J. M., and Jesson, J. P., A Coupled One-Dimensional Radiative-Convective, Chemistry_Transport Model of the Atmosphere, 1. Model Structure and Steady State Perturbation Calculations, Journal of Geophysical Research, Vol. 90, No. D1, Pages 2283-2311, February, 20, 1985.

Can't find a link that I can use. Mind explaining the process?
 
  • #15
Drakkith said:
Can't find a link that I can use. Mind explaining the process?
Mechanistically, cooling of the atmosphere occurs by radiation transport in the IR. Part of the IR flux from the surface is absorbed by greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, as described by Beer's law. The absorption occurs primarily in band structure of the gases. In addition, each parcel of air, based on its temperature, emits radiation to the surrounding parcels. This radiation is also absorbed by the surrounding parcels, as described by Beer's law. So there is a constant process of radiation and reabsorption. In the troposphere, thermal energy is also transferred by convection and water condensation processes. There is also radiation exchange with clouds in the troposphere. But, in the stratosphere, the primary cooling mechanism is radiation transport.
 
  • #16
We need to get back on topic. The OP's question is much simpler than this. You guys are now adding factors that just create confusion.

Zz.
 

1. Can visible light produce heat when absorbed?

Yes, visible light can produce heat when absorbed. When light is absorbed by an object, its energy is converted into heat, causing the object to warm up. This is the basis of how solar panels work, as they absorb sunlight and convert it into heat energy.

2. How does visible light produce heat?

Visible light produces heat through a process called absorption. When light is absorbed by an object, its energy is converted into heat energy. This is because light is made up of photons, which have energy, and when these photons are absorbed by an object, their energy is transferred to the particles in the object, causing them to vibrate and produce heat.

3. Is there a specific color of visible light that produces the most heat when absorbed?

No, the amount of heat produced when visible light is absorbed depends on the energy of the light, not the color. However, darker colors tend to absorb more light and therefore produce more heat compared to lighter colors.

4. Can visible light produce heat in all materials?

Yes, visible light can produce heat in all materials. However, the amount of heat produced may vary depending on the material's ability to absorb light. For example, dark-colored materials tend to absorb more light and produce more heat compared to light-colored materials.

5. Is there a limit to the amount of heat that visible light can produce when absorbed?

Yes, there is a limit to the amount of heat that visible light can produce when absorbed. This is because the amount of energy in visible light is finite, and once all of its energy has been absorbed, it cannot produce any more heat. Additionally, different materials have different abilities to absorb light, so the amount of heat produced may also vary depending on the material.

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