Why is glass transparent? More details below.

  • Thread starter Thread starter LogicalAcid
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Glass Transparent
AI Thread Summary
Glass is transparent primarily because it allows visible light to pass through rather than being absorbed or reflected. This transparency results from the behavior of valence electrons in glass, which do not absorb visible light photons effectively. In contrast, mirrors reflect most visible light due to their specific surface coatings. The discussion also touches on the role of photon interactions with atoms, where electrons can jump between orbitals and release energy, but this is less relevant for glass's transparency. Understanding these principles is essential for grasping the scientific basis behind the optical properties of materials like glass.
LogicalAcid
Messages
137
Reaction score
0
I have always thought glass was reflective because all visible light falling upon it was absorbed, and only very little was reflected and able to make contact with our retinas, to little to be noticed, therefore making it transparent. I believe the opposite happens to mirrors, most of the visible light falling upon it is reflected, and very little is absorbed. I know the whole concept of "If a photon hits an atom, the electrons in the atom jump an orbital, but eventually they fall back down and release the excess energy in the form of photons, the higher the orbital they "fell" from, the higher the frequency of the photon emitted. But apparently it has to do with Valence electrons as well, which I haven't had time to study for (I have many High Schools looking out for me, I want to stay with good grades), so I want to get down to the very most detailed reasons of why glass is transparent.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
I believe it has to do with Mott's work.
 
Thread ''splain this hydrostatic paradox in tiny words'
This is (ostensibly) not a trick shot or video*. The scale was balanced before any blue water was added. 550mL of blue water was added to the left side. only 60mL of water needed to be added to the right side to re-balance the scale. Apparently, the scale will balance when the height of the two columns is equal. The left side of the scale only feels the weight of the column above the lower "tail" of the funnel (i.e. 60mL). So where does the weight of the remaining (550-60=) 490mL go...
Consider an extremely long and perfectly calibrated scale. A car with a mass of 1000 kg is placed on it, and the scale registers this weight accurately. Now, suppose the car begins to move, reaching very high speeds. Neglecting air resistance and rolling friction, if the car attains, for example, a velocity of 500 km/h, will the scale still indicate a weight corresponding to 1000 kg, or will the measured value decrease as a result of the motion? In a second scenario, imagine a person with a...
Scalar and vector potentials in Coulomb gauge Assume Coulomb gauge so that $$\nabla \cdot \mathbf{A}=0.\tag{1}$$ The scalar potential ##\phi## is described by Poisson's equation $$\nabla^2 \phi = -\frac{\rho}{\varepsilon_0}\tag{2}$$ which has the instantaneous general solution given by $$\phi(\mathbf{r},t)=\frac{1}{4\pi\varepsilon_0}\int \frac{\rho(\mathbf{r}',t)}{|\mathbf{r}-\mathbf{r}'|}d^3r'.\tag{3}$$ In Coulomb gauge the vector potential ##\mathbf{A}## is given by...

Similar threads

Back
Top