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Mirror Reflections
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Question:
If visible light strikes the
surface of a mirror the angle of reflection equals the angle of in
incidence. The light waves, or photons must surely penetrate a silvered surface
more than just the first layer of silver atoms. If so, it seems that some
diffraction within those few layers of silver atoms must take
place. Where can I find a treatise on this topic?
Replies:
A good book to look at is "QED : The strange theory of light
and matter" by R.P.Feynman. It does not address the question you
have asked but several related ones, and that too at a fairly
simple level.
jasjeet s bagla
Actually, it is important to remember the length scales involved
here. The wavelengths of visible light are about 1000 times longer
than typical spacings between atoms, so the light will penetrate
at least a distance of that order. So, in fact, perfectly
classical descriptions of the electric and magnetic fields in the
light describe what is going on very well. Check out an advanced
classical optics book, and it should discuss the principles behind
reflection, refraction, and absorption in terms of the classical
electromagnetic behavior, which works just fine for visible light.
Arthur Smith
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Update: June 2012
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