Glass Transparency: Visible Light vs. IR/UV

  • Thread starter Thread starter I Like Pi
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Glass
AI Thread Summary
Glass is transparent to visible light because its electrons can absorb higher energy photons without interfering with the passage of visible wavelengths. In contrast, ultraviolet (UV) light is absorbed by glass due to its higher energy photons, which excite the electrons beyond their energy levels. Infrared (IR) light is absorbed because its frequency matches the vibrational frequency of the glass's electrons, leading to energy absorption. This selective transparency is a result of the material's electronic structure and vibrational modes. Understanding these interactions helps explain the optical properties of glass across different wavelengths.
I Like Pi
Messages
90
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


Why is glass transparent to visible light but not infrared/UV?

Homework Equations


The Attempt at a Solution


I know that it is opaque to UV and transparent to visible light because the higher photons are absorbed by the glass's electrons therefore letting the visible light pass through...

what happens with the IR light?

I was thinking it could be because the frequency of the IR light is equal to the vibrational frequency of the glass's electrons, therefore the glass would absorb the IR?
Thanks
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org

Thread 'Errors and significant figures'

I multiplied the values first without the error limit. Got 19.38. rounded it off to 2 significant figures since the given data has 2 significant figures. So = 19. For error I used the above formula. It comes out about 1.48. Now my question is. Should I write the answer as 19±1.5 (rounding 1.48 to 2 significant figures) OR should I write it as 19±1. So in short, should the error have same number of significant figures as the mean value or should it have the same number of decimal places as...
View full post »
Thread 'A cylinder connected to a hanging mass'

Thread 'A cylinder connected to a hanging mass'

Let's declare that for the cylinder, mass = M = 10 kg Radius = R = 4 m For the wall and the floor, Friction coeff = ##\mu## = 0.5 For the hanging mass, mass = m = 11 kg First, we divide the force according to their respective plane (x and y thing, correct me if I'm wrong) and according to which, cylinder or the hanging mass, they're working on. Force on the hanging mass $$mg - T = ma$$ Force(Cylinder) on y $$N_f + f_w - Mg = 0$$ Force(Cylinder) on x $$T + f_f - N_w = Ma$$ There's also...
View full post »

Similar threads

I Interaction of EM radiation with Glass
Replies
14
Views
2K
What Visible Wavelengths Cause Maximum Constructive Interference in a Thin Film?
Replies
1
Views
3K
Intensity of Light using Quantum theory
Replies
1
Views
1K
How does reflective photoelasticity work on transparent glass?
Replies
4
Views
2K
I How is IR ink able to be seen with specialized filters?
Replies
3
Views
3K
What happens to a light photon when it hits glass?
Replies
9
Views
2K
Optical DIY Privacy Shades: Make Your Own IR-Blocking Sunglasses
Replies
1
Views
5K
Does IR Radiation Have a Higher Energy Level Than UV Light for Warming Objects?
Replies
6
Views
3K
Hydrogen Gas Transparency With Visible Light
Replies
1
Views
3K
How does a black body emit as much energy as it absorbs?
Replies
5
Views
2K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top