Direction of reflected/refracted light

[theojohn4]

Reflection/refraction of light is due to the absorption of photons by electrons in the governing atoms, and is then reflected/refracted with a different wavelength and direction. I understand why the light might be a different colour (wavelength), but I don't understand what causes the incident ray to be reflected/refracted in the direction it does...

My question is: What is stopping the electron emitting the photons in a random direction?

I thought it might have something to do with the absorption of the wave over time with respect to the wavelength of the light, but then red and blue are both reflected in the same direction, so it can't be that.

Thanks

 

[mfb]

Reflection/refraction of light is due to the absorption of photons by electrons in the governing atoms

That is just one of many options.

and is then reflected/refracted with a different wavelength and direction.

A different wavelength is rare.

I understand why the light might be a different colour (wavelength)

Really?

but I don't understand what causes the incident ray to be reflected/refracted in the direction it does...

This is easier to understand if you consider light as wave, similar to water waves. All atoms of the surface are involved in reflection.

 

[theojohn4]

A different wavelength is rare? I was under the impression objects are the colour they are due to the wavelengths of light that can be absorbed/emitted. So a red surface will absorb all the light and then emit light in the red frequencies?

 

[mfb]

A red surface reflects or scatters the red component of the incoming light and absorbs others. If you shine blue light on it, it appears dark/black, not red.

 

[Meir Achuz]

Reflection/refraction of light is due to the absorption of photons by electrons in the governing atoms, and is then reflected/refracted with a different wavelength and direction.

That is wrong. R and R are wave phenomena (even for one photon) caused by the coherent interaction of the wave with
~10^10 atoms.