Naked Science Forum

On the Lighter Side => That CAN'T be true! => Topic started by: Bernard Underwood on 13/03/2009 01:30:02

Title: Why can fingers reflect light?
Post by: Bernard Underwood on 13/03/2009 01:30:02

Bernard Underwood asked the Naked Scientists:
   
Why can some people, in a certain light, have fingers that reflect light?

What do you think?

Title: Why can fingers reflect light?
Post by: Kryptid on 13/03/2009 02:52:27

I'm not sure what you're trying to ask. Everyone's fingers reflect light to some degree. Otherwise, they would either be jet black (complete absorption of light) or invisible (no interaction with light).

Title: Why can fingers reflect light?
Post by: Chemistry4me on 13/03/2009 03:42:21

Maybe they just have really shiny and nicely polished nails? [:)]

Title: Why can fingers reflect light?
Post by: Chemistry4me on 13/03/2009 04:41:56

Like this?

(https://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.itchstudios.com%2Fpsg%2Ftuts%2Fhand.jpg&hash=198771ef0edca07a566721f7a06424b2)

Title: Why can fingers reflect light?
Post by: lyner on 13/03/2009 12:34:44

I think you mean 'transmit light' - not 'reflect light'.

Title: Why can fingers reflect light?
Post by: Chemistry4me on 14/03/2009 01:59:49

Or like? [:)]

(https://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sz-wholesale.com%2FuploadFiles%2F060515083801s.jpg&hash=0edcef9d3cec93f930424db79eca8394)

Title: Why can fingers reflect light?
Post by: bookslinger on 19/03/2009 13:41:47

They certainly slightly magnify light - would this not be do with the fact they are slightly translucent and therefore almost work like a frosty glass?

Title: Why can fingers reflect light?
Post by: tony6789 on 19/03/2009 14:28:13

Quote from: Supercryptid on 13/03/2009 02:52:27

I'm not sure what you're trying to ask. Everyone's fingers reflect light to some degree. Otherwise, they would either be jet black (complete absorption of light) or invisible (no interaction with light).

then does pretty much everything reflect light?? (exluding space, blackholes etc.)

Title: Why can fingers reflect light?
Post by: Bored chemist on 19/03/2009 19:32:17

Quote from: tony6789 on 19/03/2009 14:28:13

Quote from: Supercryptid on 13/03/2009 02:52:27

I'm not sure what you're trying to ask. Everyone's fingers reflect light to some degree. Otherwise, they would either be jet black (complete absorption of light) or invisible (no interaction with light).

then does pretty much everything reflect light?? (exluding space, blackholes etc.)

Yes.

Title: Why can fingers reflect light?
Post by: RD on 19/03/2009 20:20:39

Do I get brownie points for mentioning that human skin emits light: ultra weak bioluminescence (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biophoton)...
 

Quote

The typical detected magnitude of "biophotons" in the visible and ultraviolet spectrum ranges from a few up to several hundred photons per second per square centimeter of surface area, much weaker than in the openly visible and well-researched phenomenon of normal bioluminescence

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biophoton

Title: Why can fingers reflect light?
Post by: Chemistry4me on 20/03/2009 01:09:03

Here, have a karma point on me. [:)]