Light and Surfaces: What's the Story?

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    Light Surfaces
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the question of why light cannot penetrate all surfaces, despite the assertion that light does not require a medium to travel. Participants explore the relationship between light and different materials, questioning the underlying reasoning behind the phenomenon.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants assert that light does not require a medium to travel, yet question why it cannot penetrate all surfaces.
  • One participant suggests that the material of the surfaces can absorb light, implying that absorption is a key factor in light's inability to penetrate certain surfaces.
  • There is a request for clarification on the reasoning behind the initial question, indicating a lack of consensus on the connections made.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the reasoning behind light's interaction with surfaces, and the discussion remains unresolved with multiple competing perspectives.

Contextual Notes

Some assumptions about the nature of light and materials are not fully explored, and there is a reference to related content in the FAQ that may provide additional context.

johncena
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light doesn't require a medium to travel ...but , then why can't light penetrate all surfaces??
 
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johncena said:
light doesn't require a medium to travel ...but , then why can't light penetrate all surfaces??

I don't quite follow your line of reasoning there.

Why should the latter statement follow from the former?
 
The stuff stops it.
 
repeating the question...
why light can't travel through all surfaces?/
 
Repeating the question is unlikely to help - after all, the original question is still there. Why don't you answer Hootenanny's question? That will help everyone answer yours.
 
johncena said:
repeating the question...
why light can't travel through all surfaces?/

Because the material that make the surfaces can absorb the light?

I have no idea if this is what you are asking for, because it seems to be fairly obvious. We also have an entry related to this in our FAQ in the General Physics forum. Maybe you might want to look there first?

Zz.
 
thank you zapperz sir... i got the right answer from you...
 

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