Why do some substances absorb EMR more than others?

  • Context: Undergrad 
  • Thread starter Thread starter LogicalAcid
  • Start date Start date
Join the discussion
Ask a follow-up here, or get your own question answered by working scientists, mathematicians and engineers — people, not an autocomplete.
Real named experts · corrections over time · the nuance an AI answer skips
Sign up Log in
1 reply · 2K views
LogicalAcid
Messages
137
Reaction score
0
Some are closer to black bodies than others, some reflect more than others, why is this?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
There's a ton of reasons why, but it comes down mainly to:

Material (specifically EM properties, more specifically EM properties relative to the medium its in)
Surface Finish
Geometry
 

Similar threads

Undergrad Why is SI taught in US university physics courses instead of cgs?
  • bluepilotg-2_07
  • · Replies 22 ·
  • Other Physics Topics
Replies
22
High School Why Do Some Toxins Persist Despite Chemical Reactions?
  • syfry
  • · Replies 6 ·
  • Other Physics Topics
Replies
6
Undergrad Replacing the Measurement standards (SI units)
  • akardos
  • · Replies 58 ·
  • Other Physics Topics
2
Replies
58
What does it mean that when light is reflected the "wavelengths of each contributing hue are subtracted"?
  • zenterix
  • · Replies 16 ·
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
16
Blue or green solar thermal collector?
  • Chiel555
  • · Replies 2 ·
  • Materials and Chemical Engineering
Replies
2
Why does some steam in a sauna feel harsher than other steam?
  • DTQ
  • · Replies 19 ·
  • Mechanical Engineering
Replies
19
Undergrad Color and appearance of a "pile" of biological viruses
  • Skaperen
  • · Replies 10 ·
  • Optics
Replies
10
Undergrad Are these explanations for color/light-absorption correct?
  • scifi
  • · Replies 5 ·
  • Optics
Replies
5
Undergrad Why does the effect linger with Glow in the dark?
  • pinball1970
  • · Replies 16 ·
  • Other Physics Topics
Replies
16
High School What happens to absorbed colors in colored substances?
  • Karagoz
  • · Replies 3 ·
  • Optics
Replies
3