- #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
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- Tags
- Glass
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SUMMARY
The discussion centers on the transparency of glass compared to crystalline materials, highlighting that glass, despite its amorphous structure, exhibits greater transparency to visible light than many crystals. Key factors include the unique phonon structure of glass, which prevents the absorption of visible light, and the role of scattering and reflection in determining transparency. Special glasses like quartz or fused silica are noted for their ability to transmit UV light, while ordinary glass remains opaque in that spectrum. The conversation emphasizes the complex interaction between photons and the atomic structure of materials, particularly in how they influence light propagation.
PREREQUISITES- Understanding of phonon structure in materials
- Knowledge of electromagnetic spectrum and light behavior
- Familiarity with the properties of amorphous versus crystalline materials
- Basic principles of optics and light transmission
- Research the phonon structure of various materials, focusing on glass and crystals
- Explore the optical properties of quartz and fused silica
- Study the effects of scattering and reflection on light transmission in different materials
- Investigate the principles behind laser microphones and their interaction with different types of glass
Physicists, materials scientists, optical engineers, and anyone interested in the properties of light and materials, particularly in applications involving transparency and light transmission.
- #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.
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