If a light goes from space to a glass

In summary: So, while the light itself is still there, you can't see it because it doesn't have the right wavelength to stimulate your retina.In summary, light does not change wavelength as it moves from one medium to another. The only thing that changes is the path the light takes.
  • #1
Hepic
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If a light goes from space to a glass his wavelength becomes smaller.So if we put a red color to a glass it can become orange?
 
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  • #2
No. The frequency remains the same, as does the energy of the wave. It does not change color.
 
  • #3
Light does not change wavelength as it moves from one medium to another. It changes path. If you light a torch, or a laser pointer from a side of an aquarium, the light beam retains the same colour, but follow a line at an angle to the original path. It's called refraction.
You can find more information on the wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Refraction)
 
  • #4
It does change wavelength, but not frequency or color.
 
  • #5
dauto said:
It does change wavelength, but not frequency or color.
Wavelength, frequency, and colour are all pretty much the same thing, so one cannot change without the others.
Frequency is the inverse of wavelength(f=1/λ), and colur is the perception of specific wavelengths.
 
  • #6
Bandersnatch said:
Light does not change wavelength as it moves from one medium to another.
This is not correct, it does change wavelength.
 
  • #7
Bandersnatch said:
Wavelength, frequency, and colour are all pretty much the same thing, so one cannot change without the others.
Frequency is the inverse of wavelength(f=1/λ), and colur is the perception of specific wavelengths.

No, wavelength can change while the frequency remains the same: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frequency#Frequency_of_waves

When waves from a monochrome source travel from one medium to another, their frequency remains the same—only their wavelength and speed change.
 
  • #8
I stand corrected on both accounts.
 
  • #9
I knew that only speed and wavelength change and that frequency remains the same.but I knew that color is about wavelength so something with 700nm is red.then if wavelength change ,color?
 
  • #10
The only place you see color is inside your retina and it is only the wavelength there that matters. The wavelength there is determined by the frequency of the light and the index of refraction of the vitreous humor.
 
  • #11
Drakkith said:
When waves from a monochrome source travel from one medium to another, their frequency remains the same—only their wavelength and speed change.


So, if colour is the function of the wavelength, why don't color change when wavelength changes?
 
  • #12
curious bishal said:
So, if colour is the function of the wavelength, why don't color change when wavelength changes?

Because that isn't strictly correct. It would be more accurate to say that color changes when the frequency changes, as the frequency doesn't change between emission and absorption, no matter what material the light enters.

But, there are cases where the frequency does change, and so does the color. For example, take the doppler shift of light when traveling towards or away from a light source. There is both a frequency AND a wavelength change, which will change its color as well.
 
  • #13
The frequency of light does not change in different mediums. The wavelength changes because the speed of light though the media changes.

But, to take the point 1 furthur, you cannot see the light in glass. You can only see light that enters your eye, in which case it is no longer in glass.
 
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1. How does light travel from space to a glass?

Light travels through space as electromagnetic waves, which can also travel through transparent materials like glass. When light enters a glass medium, it slows down and changes direction due to the change in density.

2. What happens to light when it enters a glass medium?

When light enters a glass medium, it undergoes a process called refraction. This means that the light waves slow down and change direction as they pass through the glass, allowing us to see objects through the glass.

3. Why does light slow down in a glass medium?

Light slows down in a glass medium because the particles in the glass are more densely packed than the particles in space. This denser medium causes light to interact with particles more frequently, resulting in a slower speed.

4. Can light travel through all types of glass?

No, light cannot travel through all types of glass. Only transparent materials, such as clear glass, allow light to pass through. Opaque materials, like frosted glass, do not allow light to pass through and are often used to block or diffuse light.

5. How does light behave after passing through a glass medium?

After passing through a glass medium, light continues to travel in a straight line until it reaches another material or surface. If the light encounters another medium with a different density, it will once again change direction and may undergo another round of refraction.

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