Been studying science in college for about 2 years and this simple question has me questioning my own IQ. I understand how light travels through different mediums but photons are particles right? Actually physical particles that can travel through solid blocks of glass?
I dont know if Im just stupid or my teacher doesnt care, this question could keep me up at night.
In: Physics
There are different models for how light actually work, but without going into that much detail.
Light goes on and on until it hits on of the atoms of the glass just like it would hit something black, like soot and it gets absorbed.
When it hits soot it gets absorbed and that’s it. Sooth gets a bit warmer.
When it hits glass it also gets absorbed, but a new light particle (photon) gets emitted soon after and goes on until it hits another atom and the process repeats.
This is how light moves in all amtter – it gets absorbed and re-emitted all the time. This takes some time and is a reason why light in matter travels slower than in vaccum.
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