Light Wave & Air Molecule Interaction: Question

[Tom1996]

We all know that light is a kind of wave,so I was wondering how it couldbe possible for wave to have sth to do on air molecules so to heat up the air,or is it because that wave is matter itself?

 

[Matterwave]

One of the primary functions of a wave is that it transports energy. All the light is doing is transferring energy from one (hotter) object to another (cooler) object. This is the radiative form of heat transfer.

 

[Nugatory]

Light is an electromagnetic wave (google for that and you'll find some good stuff).

It interacts with matter because the electrons on the outside of atoms are electrically charged so are affected by changes in the electrical and magnetic fields around them (sort of the way that an object floating in water moves up and down when a wave comes by).

Generally if the light is absorbed by the matter (instead of being reflected, as with a mirror, or passing through unaffected, as with glass or clear air) the energy of the wave will end up as heat.

 

[Tom1996]

thank you so much!:)our teacher only mention that it's trasverse.

Light is an electromagnetic wave (google for that and you'll find some good stuff).

It interacts with matter because the electrons on the outside of atoms are electrically charged so are affected by changes in the electrical and magnetic fields around them (sort of the way that an object floating in water moves up and down when a wave comes by).

Generally if the light is absorbed by the matter (instead of being reflected, as with a mirror, or passing through unaffected, as with glass or clear air) the energy of the wave will end up as heat.

 

[sardar]

I would like to clarify that light is not a kind of wave, but rather a type of electromagnetic radiation. Electromagnetic radiation is a form of energy that can travel through space in the form of waves. This energy is made up of electric and magnetic fields that oscillate perpendicular to each other and to the direction of the wave's travel.

When light interacts with air molecules, it can transfer its energy to them through collisions. This transfer of energy can cause the molecules to vibrate and move faster, resulting in an increase in temperature. This is known as the process of thermal conduction.

It is important to note that light does not have mass, so it cannot be considered matter itself. However, it does carry energy, and this energy can have an effect on the particles it interacts with.

In summary, light can interact with air molecules through thermal conduction, transferring its energy to them and causing an increase in temperature. This interaction is not due to light being matter itself, but rather its ability to carry energy.