Light and Surfaces: What's the Story?

In summary, the conversation on Physics Forums discusses the question of why light cannot penetrate all surfaces, despite not requiring a medium to travel. The conclusion is that the material of the surfaces can absorb the light, as stated in the forum's FAQ.
  • #1
johncena
131
1
light doesn't require a medium to travel ...but , then why can't light penetrate all surfaces??
 
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  • #2
Welcome to Physics Forums.
johncena said:
light doesn't require a medium to travel ...but , then why can't light penetrate all surfaces??
I don't quite follow your line of reasoning there.

Why should the latter statement follow from the former?
 
  • #3
The stuff stops it.
 
  • #4
repeating the question...
why light can't travel through all surfaces?/
 
  • #5
Repeating the question is unlikely to help - after all, the original question is still there. Why don't you answer Hootenanny's question? That will help everyone answer yours.
 
  • #6
johncena said:
repeating the question...
why light can't travel through all surfaces?/

Because the material that make the surfaces can absorb the light?

I have no idea if this is what you are asking for, because it seems to be fairly obvious. We also have an entry related to this in our FAQ in the General Physics forum. Maybe you might want to look there first?

Zz.
 
  • #7
thank you zapperz sir... i got the right answer from you...
 

Related to Light and Surfaces: What's the Story?

1. What is light?

Light is a form of electromagnetic radiation that is visible to the human eye. It is made up of tiny particles called photons that travel in waves at a very high speed.

2. How does light interact with different surfaces?

Light can interact with surfaces in three ways: reflection, absorption, and transmission. Reflection occurs when light bounces off a surface, absorption occurs when light is absorbed by a surface, and transmission occurs when light passes through a surface.

3. Why do some surfaces appear to be different colors?

The color of a surface depends on which wavelengths of light it reflects and absorbs. For example, a red surface appears red because it reflects red light and absorbs all other colors.

4. How do different types of surfaces affect the way light behaves?

The texture, smoothness, and transparency of a surface can affect how light interacts with it. A smooth, shiny surface will reflect light in a more organized manner compared to a rough, matte surface which will scatter light in different directions.

5. What is the importance of understanding light and surfaces?

Understanding how light interacts with surfaces is crucial in many fields, including photography, architecture, and materials science. It allows us to create and manipulate different visual effects, as well as design more efficient and effective materials for various applications.

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