Why can some waves pass through materials but others can't

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the transmission of different types of waves through materials, specifically focusing on why visible light can pass through glass while infrared (IR) cannot. Participants are exploring the fundamental processes behind wave transmission and the role of material properties in this phenomenon.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants are questioning the reasons behind the differing transmission of visible light and infrared waves through glass. There are attempts to understand the relationship between atomic structure, absorption spectra, and wave interaction with materials.

Discussion Status

The discussion is active, with participants raising questions and sharing insights about the nature of wave absorption and the concept of band structure in solids. Some guidance has been offered regarding the atomic spectra and its relevance to the topic, but no consensus has been reached.

Contextual Notes

There are indications of varying levels of understanding among participants, with some questioning the appropriateness of the complexity of the topic for the homework context. Additionally, references to external resources have been provided for further exploration.

leily
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Hello,

Why can some waves pass through materials but others can't. Why can visible light go through glass but infrared can't? I know it has to do with transmission but what is the fundamental processes? In as simple terms as possible? If anyone has any websites of books that might help please let me know.

Thank you for your help.
 
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Why do you think IR can't go through glass?
 
I saw a picture of a hand behind a sheet of glass in IR. But I guess the reason why it can't see it is because the heat isn't transferred to the air?
 
Are you near an incandescent light bulb? Turn it on and put your hand near it. Can you feel the heat?
 
Well in that case when I put my hand under a sheet of glass can I not see it in the IR?
 
i. is this HW question?
ii. I don't believe this is upper undergraduate level question.

You know that atoms of different kinds have different spectra, i.e the absorption lines are different for each element. The same holds for solids. Different solids absorbs Em rad at different wave lenghts. And this has to do with the so called band structure of the solid.

http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/Hbase/solids/band.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Band_structure

So depending on what atoms the solid are made of etc, different band structures arieses. You can think of these bands as the "orbitals" of the electrons in an atom. The bands tell you what electron can have.
 

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