Why is Glass Transparent? The Science Behind Its Clarity

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    Glass Transparent
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the transparency of glass, exploring the underlying physics and material properties that contribute to its clarity compared to other materials like lead. Participants delve into concepts such as photon interaction with atoms, energy gaps, and the differences in transparency among various substances.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants note that transparent materials allow photons to pass through without being absorbed, while acknowledging that no material is perfectly transparent at all thicknesses.
  • One participant questions why photons can pass through glass despite both glass and lead being composed of atoms, highlighting the role of atomic structure and energy levels in transparency.
  • Another participant expresses curiosity about the reasons behind energy gaps in electrons and why materials like glass have larger energy gaps compared to opaque materials like lead.
  • A participant expresses frustration over the change in the original question and suggests that further research could provide answers.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the reasons behind the transparency of glass or the nature of energy gaps in different materials. Multiple competing views and questions remain unresolved.

Contextual Notes

The discussion includes assumptions about atomic structure and the behavior of photons, but these assumptions are not fully explored or defined. The relationship between energy gaps and material transparency is also not resolved.

Alex299792458
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I know the question is simple but why is glass transparent and what's in the material to adds up to those elements and all the physics behind it.
 
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Materials which are transparent have the property of allowing photons to pass through them without getting absorbed by atoms and thus warming up the material.
No material is perfectly transparent though, if you make glass, (or water for that matter) thick enough, most of the photon will be absorbed and the material loses it transparency.
 
I understand that, but why does it let photons pass right through because glass is made of atoms and lead is made of atoms, glass is made up of up quarks, down quarks and electrons and lead is also made of up quarks, down quarks and electrons forming protons, neutrons and electron clouds which are the basic constituents of atoms but what is the physics behind letting photons pass through and why does that medium vary with material, atom and molecule?
 
have a look at this video ... should answer that question for you :)

Dave
 
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I already watch this video and this is actually the exact video that inspired me to make this thread and it is one of my favorite sixty symbols videos. My real question was why do electron have energy gaps and why do some materials like glass have a bigger energy gaps than lead or any other opaque materials?
 
Alex299792458 said:
I already watch this video and this is actually the exact video that inspired me to make this thread and it is one of my favorite sixty symbols videos. My real question was why do electron have energy band gaps and why do some materials like glass have a bigger energy gaps than lead or any other opaque materials?
OK well that is a VERY different question to which you first asked causing me to waste my time posting a link for which you have already seen

I will let some one else answer your new Q

in the mean time how about doing some research yourself and type your own Q into google and see what you get 9 the bit I have bolded

Dave
 
Bad day, Davenn.
 

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