1. Mar 5, 2010 #1

   Sea Cow

   

   What is it exactly about a surface that makes it reflect or absorb some or all wavelengths of light?

    

   Sea Cow, Mar 5, 2010
2. 
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3. Mar 5, 2010 #2

   ZapperZ

   

   Staff Emeritus

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   1. the presence of conduction electrons
   2. the nature of the phonon modes in the material
   
   Zz.

    

   ZapperZ, Mar 5, 2010
4. Mar 6, 2010 #3

   Andy Resnick

   

   Science Advisor

   Education Advisor

   Insights Author

   Alternatively, the index of refraction.

    

   Andy Resnick, Mar 6, 2010
5. Mar 7, 2010 #4

   Sea Cow

   

   Forgive me if I am being thick, but could you explain point 2. more? What is it about the phonon modes? For instance, if a surface just reflects a particular colour, is that because the phonon vibrates at the same frequency as that colour? If so, how does that stop the light from being absorbed?
   
   Thankyou for your patience.

    

   Sea Cow, Mar 7, 2010

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