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Fugie Runner
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Do photons reflected off prisms exert directional force however small as they are reflected off the hypotenuse side of a right triangle shaped prism?
Reflection of Photons on Prisms: Directional Force?
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In summary, light carries momentum and if it changes direction, something must recoil for conservation. Photons being massless cannot be put at rest, so they must be absorbed and re-emitted in a reflection. In QM or QFT, this is mathematically equivalent to a reflection or scatter. The momentum of the reflection is absorbed by the entire prism or mirror, similar to the Mossbauer effect.
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jtbell
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Light carries momentum, which is a vector quantity, that is, it has both magnitude and direction. Therefore, if a beam of light changes direction, something must recoil in order for the total momentum to be conserved. This is true in both the classical and quantum models of light.
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humanino
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I fully agree with jtbell answers. I would like to point out that the original question suggests that photons can somehow bounce off a surface. Technically however, photons being massless cannot be put at rest, so must be absorbed and re-emitted. Maybe just nitpicking 
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jimgraber
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humanino said:I fully agree with jtbell answers. I would like to point out that the original question suggests that photons can somehow bounce off a surface. Technically however, photons being massless cannot be put at rest, so must be absorbed and re-emitted. Maybe just nitpicking
Wow, I never thought a reflection or an elastic scatter involved a state of rest. However, I can accept that absorption and re-emission is mathematically equivalent to a reflection or a scatter. Is this really the way it is treated in QM or QFT? Also, is the momentum of the reflection absorbed by a single atom, or by the entire prism or mirror, similar to the Mossbauer effect?
Inquiring minds want to know. TIA.
Jim Graber
Related to Reflection of Photons on Prisms: Directional Force?
What is the principle behind the reflection of photons on prisms?
The reflection of photons on prisms is based on the principle of total internal reflection. This occurs when light traveling through a denser medium strikes the boundary of a less dense medium at an angle greater than the critical angle, causing all of the light to be reflected back into the denser medium instead of being refracted.
How do prisms manipulate the direction of light?
Prisms manipulate the direction of light by causing the light to change direction as it passes through the different surfaces of the prism. This change in direction is caused by the different indices of refraction of the materials that make up the prism. The angle at which the light enters and exits the prism also plays a role in determining the direction of the light.
What factors affect the directional force of light reflected on prisms?
The directional force of light reflected on prisms is affected by the angle of incidence, the angle of refraction, and the indices of refraction of the materials that make up the prism. The shape and size of the prism also play a role in determining the direction of the reflected light.
How does the color of light affect its reflection on prisms?
The color of light does not directly affect its reflection on prisms, but it can indirectly impact the direction of the reflected light. This is because the different colors of light have different wavelengths, and the wavelength of light affects its index of refraction, which in turn affects the angle at which the light is refracted and reflected on the prism.
What are the practical applications of the reflection of photons on prisms?
The reflection of photons on prisms has many practical applications, such as in optical devices like telescopes and microscopes. Prisms are also used in spectroscopy to separate and analyze the different wavelengths of light. They are also used in binoculars and cameras to help magnify and focus light. In addition, prisms are used in various scientific experiments and in the production of optical fibers for telecommunication purposes.
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