Understanding the Atomic Mechanisms Behind Light Deflection in Mirrors

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the mechanisms behind light deflection in mirrors, exploring the atomic interactions involved in reflection. Participants examine both qualitative and quantitative aspects of light behavior at surfaces, including comparisons between mirrors and other materials like glass.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that the electronic configuration of atoms in mirrors is crucial to understanding why they deflect light.
  • One participant proposes a qualitative approach, likening light behavior to particle collisions with surface atoms treated as rigid balls.
  • It is noted that all interfaces reflect light, but mirrors are more effective than glass, which reflects only a small percentage of light.
  • Another participant explains that when light strikes a surface, it is absorbed and then re-emitted by the atoms, which contributes to the observed reflection.
  • A participant mentions that plain glass has a reflection rate of about 4%, which is confirmed by others in the thread.
  • There is a question raised about the nature of light reflection, particularly how atoms re-emit light in a specific direction, especially in the case of perfect mirrors where the angle of incidence equals the angle of reflection.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the basic principles of reflection and the differences between mirrors and glass, but there are competing views on the atomic mechanisms and the specifics of how light is deflected. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the detailed atomic explanation of the directionality of re-emitted light.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include varying assumptions about light behavior, the definitions of reflection and deflection, and the lack of rigorous mathematical treatment in some arguments.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be useful for individuals interested in the physics of light, atomic interactions, and the properties of reflective materials.

yyouth24
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Sorry for misconception. Why the mirror deflects light was the question? Because of the electronic configuration and how?
 
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I think a lot of math need to be done to answer your question. But qualitatively, if you take into account that light behaves like particle and abide by the mechanical equation of collision, and treat the surface atoms of the reflection material as rigid balls, you will get it quickly, though less rigorously.
 
all interfaces reflect, glass too. mirrors just reflect most of the energy where as glass doesn't
 
When the photon of light strikes any surface, it will be absorbed by the atoms of that surface, and then those atoms will release new photons. Those newly created photons is what appears to be the reflected light.
 
ice109 said:
all interfaces reflect, glass too. mirrors just reflect most of the energy where as glass doesn't
You're right. I think I remember that plain glass has a reflection of around 4%. I'll have to see if I can dig that up.
 
FredGarvin said:
I think I remember that plain glass has a reflection of around 4%.
That's about right. Assuming normal incidence and an index of refraction of about 1.5, you'll get about 4% reflection.
 
I though tha glass only refracts and mildly reflects light. Could you educate me?
 
I'd say that 4% reflected is mild compared to 96% transmitted.
 
All of this is covered in detail in Feynman's sustained flight of genius, QED. He actually derives most of these effects quantitatively, in a popular science book! Feynman leaves Stephen Hawking panting by the roadside.

Molu
 
  • #10
So, where does 'deflect' come into play?
 
  • #11
but if the atom absorbs the energy and the re-emits it at the same frequency, why does it re-emit in one direction. For example, take a perfect reflection mirror - the angle of incidence equals the angle of reflection. How can this be explained on the atomic level?
 

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