Light -- how light particles can penetrate through glass?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the mechanisms by which light particles can penetrate glass, focusing on the concepts of transparency, electron behavior, and energy absorption. Participants explore the conditions that allow light to pass through materials like glass compared to opaque substances.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests that transparency is related to the amount of open space in a material, while another counters that density alone does not determine transparency, citing lead glass as an example.
  • It is proposed that for a material to be non-transparent, it must have electrons that can absorb or scatter light, which is not the case for the electrons in transparent glass.
  • Questions are raised about whether electrons are absorbed by light and if this results in a loss of energy for the light.
  • Another participant indicates that if the atoms in a material possess the appropriate characteristics, then light can indeed be absorbed by the electrons.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the factors that contribute to transparency and the role of electron absorption, indicating that multiple competing perspectives remain in the discussion.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved aspects regarding the specific characteristics that determine whether light is absorbed and the implications for energy loss, as well as the definitions of transparency and absorption in different materials.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to those studying optics, material science, or anyone curious about the interaction between light and various materials.

ajaykrishna90
how light particles can penetrate through glass?
 
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HallsofIvy said:
The "transparency" of glass is mostly a matter of how much open space there is.
No it is not. Lead glass has a higher density than aluminium, but the former is transparent while the latter is not.

To be not transparent, there has to be something that can absorb (or scatter) light - usually electrons that can reach a higher energy level. The electrons in transparent glasses are bound to their atoms/molecules and do not have accessible energy levels they could go to from the absorption of light.
 
thanks for the explanation.but whether it means electrons are absorbed? then whether light loses energy?
 
ajaykrishna90 said:
thanks for the explanation.but whether it means electrons are absorbed? then whether light loses energy?

If the atoms making up the material have the right characteristics, then the light will be absorbed by the electrons in the material.
 
right characteristics? anyway, thanks! got some idea now. :)
 

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