Why can't waves (light) be in two mediums at the same time?

  • Thread starter Thread starter i_m_mimi
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Light Time Waves
AI Thread Summary
Light cannot exist in two mediums simultaneously due to the principles of wave behavior and critical angles, leading to internal reflection instead. When light interacts with different mediums, it creates an evanescent wave that penetrates slightly into the lower refractive index medium, but does not fully transition into it. This phenomenon is related to surface plasmons, which involve the electromagnetic field's behavior at the interface of materials. Understanding these concepts can be complex, especially for those without a strong background in physics. Further exploration of surface plasmon resonance may provide additional insights into this topic.
i_m_mimi
Messages
17
Reaction score
0
Technically the critical angle is impossible to occur, instead internal reflection occurs. This is because light can't be in two mediums at the same time. WHY?
What happens when the light particle/wave is in between two other medium particles?

Any links to help me answer this question would be helpful.
 
Science news on Phys.org
Andy Resnick said:
Could you be referring to surface plasmons?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surface_plasmon_resonance

Unfortunately, I have no idea what it is talking about. Too many big words. I'm only in the 10th grade.
I don't really understand it, but I think you're on to something.

While incident light is totally reflected the electromagnetic field component penetrates a short (tens of nanometers) distance into a medium of a lower refractive index creating an exponentially detenuating evanescent wave.

This seems like something that might help me answer the question, but I don't know what it means.
 

Similar threads

I Light Refraction, Biconvex Lens, Diagram Help
Replies
9
Views
4K
Reflection of a wave by a rigid boundary
Replies
1
Views
1K
B Shouldn't the refracted ray be along the boundary here?
Replies
5
Views
2K
Optics: Huygens' principle and bending of light
Replies
2
Views
2K
Please help me understand how transverse waves reflect at a boundary
Replies
13
Views
2K
Why light slows in transparent media
Replies
4
Views
10K
Do two light waves with difference frequencies connect when they meet?
Replies
5
Views
2K
Intuitive reasoning for frequency remaining constant during refraction
Replies
10
Views
5K
Reflection and transmission of waves in a medium of nonuniform density
Replies
10
Views
2K
I Mie scattering in clouds at 940 nm
Replies
29
Views
1K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top