Behavior of Photons During Reflection.

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the behavior of photons during reflection, specifically addressing whether photons are absorbed and re-emitted by electrons or if they simply bounce off the material. The consensus is that while photons do not undergo a traditional absorption and re-emission process, the electrons in the conductor are set in motion by the incident magnetic field, leading to the concurrent radiation of new photons. This phenomenon aligns with the principles outlined in the Wikipedia article on reflection and is related to Rayleigh scattering and atomic-level interactions.

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  • Understanding of photon behavior and light reflection
  • Familiarity with electromagnetic fields and their effects on materials
  • Knowledge of atomic interactions and electron dynamics
  • Basic comprehension of Rayleigh scattering principles
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  • Study the principles of Rayleigh scattering in detail
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Physicists, optical engineers, and anyone interested in the fundamental principles of light behavior and material interactions during reflection.

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Which of the following is consistent with experiment/observation.

When light is reflected off of a material, what happens to the photon?

A. Is it absorbed by the electron or lattice and then re-emitted?

OR

B. Does it somehow just reflect/bounce off the electron/lattice? Kind of like a ball bouncing off of a wall?

Maybe neither?

Thanks in advance.
 
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It's kind of both. It happens like B but is really A.

The electrons of the conductor are set in motion by the incident magnetic field. (remember, the electric field along a conductor is zero.)

This motion results in the immediate radiation of new photons. But it's not really an absorbed-then-reemitted process like it is with electronic transitions. The absorption and reemission are concurrent.
 

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