- #31
Raze2dust
- 63
- 0
well if free electrons are the fundamental cause of reflection, how do you explain total internal reflection from glass?
Unraveling the Mystery of Glass Transparency: A Scientific Explanation
- Context: Undergrad
- Thread starter n0_3sc
- Start date
-
- Tags
- Glass
Click For Summary
Discussion Overview
The discussion centers on the transparency of glass compared to crystalline materials, exploring the physical principles behind light transmission, absorption, and scattering in different structures. Participants examine the implications of amorphous versus crystalline arrangements on optical properties, touching on concepts from quantum mechanics and phonon interactions.
Discussion Character
- Exploratory
- Technical explanation
- Debate/contested
- Mathematical reasoning
Main Points Raised
- Some participants propose that the ordered lattice structure of crystalline materials should theoretically allow for greater transparency than the random structure of glass.
- Others note that ordinary glass is opaque to certain wavelengths, such as UV light, and that special types of glass are needed for broader transmission.
- A participant suggests that the unique phonon structure of glass may prevent the absorption of visible light, contributing to its transparency.
- Another participant theorizes that the quantum/wave behavior of light allows visible wavelengths to pass through glass without significant interaction.
- One contribution discusses the interaction of photons with atomic fields in materials, suggesting that the arrangement of atoms influences light's direction and absorption.
- Concerns are raised about the assertion that photons "become" phonons, with participants highlighting that not all photons are absorbed to create phonons.
- There is a discussion about the implications of amorphous structures on absorption and scattering compared to crystalline structures, with some crystals appearing more opaque than glass.
Areas of Agreement / Disagreement
Participants express a variety of viewpoints, with no clear consensus on the mechanisms behind glass transparency versus crystalline materials. Disagreements exist regarding the nature of photon interactions and the definitions of phonons in this context.
Contextual Notes
Participants acknowledge the complexity of the phonon structure in glass and its implications for light transmission, but the discussion remains open-ended with various assumptions and conditions not fully resolved.
Who May Find This Useful
This discussion may be of interest to those studying optics, material science, or anyone curious about the physical principles governing light interaction with different materials.
- #32
pinestone
- 140
- 3
Once you increase the angle of incidence above the critical angle, total internal reflection will be the result.Raze2dust said:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Total_internal_reflection#Critical_angle
- #33
n0_3sc
- 238
- 1
light is NEVER totally internally reflected. Even after the critical angle, there still exists a beam propagating along the surface (eg. the evanescent wave - which is another philosophical issue...)
- #34
Raze2dust
- 63
- 0
but that's applicable to metals too..
leave it what i meant was just that free electron theory alone is not sufficient to explain reflection from all surfaces
leave it what i meant was just that free electron theory alone is not sufficient to explain reflection from all surfaces
- #35
n0_3sc
- 238
- 1
Raze2dust said:
I agree.
- #36
rewebster
- 877
- 2
To me, asking, "Why is glass 'see-through'? " is the same as asking, "Why is 'air' 'see-through'? ".
- #37
n0_3sc
- 238
- 1
rewebster said:
sure...because air and glass have the same material structure...
My intention of this thread was to understand how light interacts with amorphous glass upon propagation.
Similar threads
- · Replies 2 ·
High School
What causes the transparency of glass?
- · Replies 7 ·
- · Replies 3 ·
- · Replies 22 ·
- · Replies 8 ·
- · Replies 74 ·
- · Replies 3 ·
- · Replies 1 ·
- · Replies 3 ·