Classically, how can I explain Reflection?

[jaumzaum]

Hello guys! I was trying to understand (without involving too much QM) how does reflection works, and why metals reflect almost 100% of visible light while glass does not, and also why when we increase the frequency, metals become transparent.

I know that when any single photon reaches a body, it interacts with all the electrons in the body, and I can explain that in classical physics considering the photon as a wave. The photon makes the electrons oscillate and create a secondary wave in all directions. In metals the frequency of oscillation of these electrons are 180° shifted from the original wave, so forward waves are canceled and 100% of the wave is reflected, by conservation of energy. In other substances, some part of the wave is reflected, some part is refracted, and some part is absorbed.

Ok, this is what I read, and I don't know if it's completely true or well-written. My question is, why metals generate a secondary wave that is 180 ° shifted from the light wave? And why, for higher frequencies, this isn't true?

 

[anuttarasammyak]

Electric field is zero in metal. It means no light as EM wave in metal.

 

[jaumzaum]

Electric field is zero in metal. It means no light as EM wave in metal.

So why are metals transparent in high frequency waves?

 

[anuttarasammyak]

So why are metals transparent in high frequency waves?

Tell me the frequency for investigation, please.

Drude model https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drude_model

 

[sophiecentaur]

I know that when any single photon reaches a body, it interacts with all the electrons in the body

Wait a cotton pickin' second. You wanted a Classical Explanation. Photons don't come into that, however you state it. If you insist on using photons (perhaps you think it is somehow a deeper explanation) then you need to use their wave nature of their probability so you are back with waves anyway.
Little bullets may be a comforting image but light never behaves like little bullets.