Does frequency affect energy loss in light passing through glass?

In summary, The conversation discusses the effects of frequency on the amount of energy lost by light passing through glass. It is noted that higher frequency photons tend to take longer to re-emit, resulting in some energy being left in the glass. It is also mentioned that the absorbed light is converted into heat, which is then radiated from the glass in specific wavelengths depending on its temperature. The conversation concludes with a confirmation that frequency does have an effect on the % of energy lost.
  • #1
disgradius
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Hi, recently I've been doing some experiments on how and if frequency would affect the amount of energy lost by light as it passes through glass. So far, I've had some rather erratic results. Can someone clarify for me whether frequency does affect the energy drop of light passing through glass and how? So far from what I've understood, photons are absorbed and re-emitted. The absorption of the photons depends on the individual absorption spectrum of the material in question. Once its absorbed though, higher energy photons tend to take longer to be re-emitted and so re-emission happens slower for higher frequencies, thus some energy would be left in the glass for awhile? Can someone confirm whether frequency has any effect at all and how it affects the % of energy lost?

Btw, this is not homework, experiment done outside of school.
 
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  • #2
Absorbed light (usually) goes into heating the glass. Heated glass radiates energy, so you can think of the absorbed light as being converted to whatever wavelengths are radiated.

The radiated wavelengths depend on how hot the glass gets. Near room temperature they are mostly in the range 5 to 20 microns.
 
  • #3


I can confirm that frequency does indeed affect the energy loss of light passing through glass. This phenomenon is known as frequency-dependent absorption and it occurs because different materials have different absorption spectra, meaning they absorb different frequencies of light at different rates. In the case of glass, higher frequency photons (such as blue or violet light) are absorbed more readily than lower frequency photons (such as red or orange light). This absorption process causes the photons to lose energy and be re-emitted at a lower frequency, resulting in a loss of energy as the light passes through the glass.

In addition, the time it takes for a photon to be re-emitted also plays a role in energy loss. As you mentioned, higher energy photons take longer to be re-emitted, meaning they spend more time in the glass and have a higher chance of being absorbed again. This results in a slower transmission of light and a higher amount of energy loss.

To further clarify, the percentage of energy lost depends on the thickness and composition of the glass, as well as the frequency of the light passing through it. Generally, the higher the frequency of the light, the higher the percentage of energy lost.

I hope this helps clarify the concept for you. Keep experimenting and exploring this interesting phenomenon!
 

What is frequency?

Frequency is a measure of how many times a wave cycles or repeats itself in a given amount of time. It is typically measured in Hertz (Hz), which represents the number of cycles per second.

How does frequency affect absorption?

The absorption of a wave is dependent on its frequency. Generally, higher frequency waves, such as ultraviolet and x-rays, are more readily absorbed by materials compared to lower frequency waves, such as radio waves. This is because higher frequency waves have more energy and can cause particles in materials to vibrate more, resulting in greater absorption.

What is the relationship between frequency and wavelength?

Frequency and wavelength are inversely proportional. This means that as frequency increases, wavelength decreases, and vice versa. This relationship is described by the equation: speed of light = frequency x wavelength.

How does the medium affect frequency and absorption?

The medium through which a wave travels can affect its frequency and absorption. For example, different materials have different properties that can affect the speed at which a wave travels, which in turn can affect its frequency. Additionally, the composition of a medium can also determine how much a wave is absorbed.

How can frequency and absorption be measured?

Frequency and absorption can be measured using various instruments, such as spectrophotometers and spectrometers. These instruments use different techniques and technologies to detect and measure the properties of waves, such as their frequency and absorption.

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