What happens to projected light after the source stops

  • Context: High School 
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the fate of projected light from a flashlight or laser after the source is turned off. It explores concepts related to absorption, energy transfer, and the behavior of light in space.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant states that the light is absorbed by surrounding objects.
  • Another participant elaborates that the energy of the light is transferred to atoms it contacts, which may then release that energy in various forms such as light or heat.
  • A different viewpoint suggests uncertainty about whether the light gets absorbed, noting the high speed of light and questioning if it remains long enough to be absorbed after the source is turned off.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the fate of the light after the source is turned off, with no consensus reached on whether it is absorbed or if it travels away without being absorbed.

Contextual Notes

There is an assumption that the behavior of light may depend on the distance it travels and the properties of the surrounding environment, which remains unresolved.

AMan24
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Let's say a flashlight or a laser is turned on and there's light coming out of it. Once you turn the flashlight or laser off what exactly happens to the projected light? Obviously it won't be visible anymore, but where does it go?
 
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Simply put, it's absorbed by the objects surrounding it.
 
mrnike992 said:
Simply put, it's absorbed by the objects surrounding it.

Ok now I get it. Thanks
 
The energy of the light is transferred to the atoms it comes in contact with, if it does... they then might pass on that energy in different ways. light, heat, etc.
 
Perhaps the light gets absorbed, perhaps not. Remember, light travels at 300,000 km / sec, so who's to say the light sticks around to get absorbed? By the time you'd notice the beam is shut off, the last photons have almost reached the orbit of the moon. :wink: :eek:
 

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