 |
 |
Speed of Light and Reflections
Name: Corey
Status: student
Age: N/A
Location: N/A
Country: N/A
Date: N/A
Question:
If photons (light) is made of particles, which cannot be
slowed down, but when in large numbers act as a wave (Which can be
slowed down), how can we fully know that light cannot be slowed
down. An example would be when you shine a light at a mirror. That
light hits the mirrors surface, then the photons bounce off the
surface of the mirror back in the other direction. But in order for
them to do that, wouldn't they also have to stop to reverse
direction. Even if only for a moment?
Replies:
Corey,
When light is "slowed" within a material, the particles do not actually
slow down. They are temporarily absorbed into the atoms of the
material. They are held for a very short time, and then emitted back
into the world. These small delays are what make the light appear to
move slower. With reflection, the effect is similar. The particles are
absorbed into the material, and then emitted back. Due to interference
effects, the strongest path is usually "angle in" equals "angle out".
Dr. Ken Mellendorf
Click here to return to the Physics Archives
| |
Update: June 2012
|
|
