Light travelling through glass.

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SUMMARY

Light does travel through glass, as evidenced by the behavior of photons interacting with the material. The discussion clarifies that visible light passes through glass because its photons lack the energy required to excite the electrons to a higher energy state. However, glass reflects infrared energy due to the different energy levels of electrons in the material. This understanding reconciles the apparent contradiction between light transmission and reflection in glass.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of electromagnetic waves
  • Basic knowledge of photon energy and electron excitation
  • Familiarity with the properties of materials, specifically glass
  • Concept of wave-particle duality in physics
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the interaction of light with different materials, focusing on glass
  • Explore the principles of wave-particle duality in quantum mechanics
  • Study the electromagnetic spectrum and its implications for material properties
  • Investigate the reasons behind infrared reflection in various substances
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Physics students, optical engineers, material scientists, and anyone interested in the properties of light and its interaction with materials.

azzkika
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I know this isn't the first thread on this issue but I'm hoping some of you brainiacs can clear up something for me please.

I have been living under the understanding that light doesn't travel through glass but rather the glass itself replicates the emf. I learned this a many years back from some people I regard as pretty smart but I have since read numerous topics about light traveling through glass written by pretty smart people as well.

So... Does light actually travel through glass or not?
 
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Is this just a semantics question? Light within the glass is partially electromagnetic wave, partially matter wave. Surely, if light appears on the other side, it has traveled through it, right?
 
From my understanding, visible light passes thru glass because the photons are too low in energy to jump the energy state of the electrons in the material. However, that doesn't really explain why glass reflects infrared energy.
 

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