The Naked Scientists
  • Login
  • Register
  • Podcasts
      • The Naked Scientists
      • eLife
      • Naked Genetics
      • Naked Astronomy
      • In short
      • Naked Neuroscience
      • Ask! The Naked Scientists
      • Question of the Week
      • Archive
      • Video
      • SUBSCRIBE to our Podcasts
  • Articles
      • Science News
      • Features
      • Interviews
      • Answers to Science Questions
  • Get Naked
      • Donate
      • Do an Experiment
      • Science Forum
      • Ask a Question
  • About
      • Meet the team
      • Our Sponsors
      • Site Map
      • Contact us

User menu

  • Login
  • Register
  • Home
  • Help
  • Search
  • Tags
  • Member Map
  • Recent Topics
  • Login
  • Register
  1. Naked Science Forum
  2. Non Life Sciences
  3. Physics, Astronomy & Cosmology
  4. Why is glass transparent yet copper metal is opaque?
« previous next »
  • Print
Pages: [1]   Go Down

Why is glass transparent yet copper metal is opaque?

  • 3 Replies
  • 11275 Views
  • 0 Tags

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline labview1958 (OP)

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • 104
  • Activity:
    0%
    • View Profile
Why is glass transparent yet copper metal is opaque?
« on: 19/03/2009 02:42:06 »
Why is glass transparent and metallic copper is opaque?



[MOD EDIT - Please try to phrase your post titles as questions, in line with forum policy (it also helps people to find what they are looking for and translates into many more responses for your posts. Thank you.]
« Last Edit: 19/03/2009 09:56:01 by chris »
Logged
 
 



Offline Soul Surfer

  • Naked Science Forum King!
  • ******
  • 3384
  • Activity:
    0%
  • Thanked: 6 times
  • keep banging the rocks together
    • View Profile
    • ian kimber's web workspace
Why is glass transparent yet copper metal is opaque?
« Reply #1 on: 19/03/2009 10:17:02 »
The most important feature about copper that makes it opaque is that it is a conductor of electricity.  This is because the atoms in the solid are bonded together in such a way to allow the outer electrons freedom of movement through the material.  Because it is a conductor it effectively "shorts out" the electrostatic part of electromagnetic waves (light)and this reflects the energy from the surface and prevents it from flowing through the body of the copper in a coherent way. 

Now glass is an insulator and electromagnetic energy can enter the material but that's not enough to make it transparent The next requirement is that the material itself does not absorb the frequencies of light that are being used.  Many insulators are coloured because they absorb light of different frequencies.

Finally there is one important additional requirement.  Glass is a uniform material and is often prepared with a smooth surface this ensures that the light is not dispersed through the material and glass is transparent.  Only a very slight disturbance of the surface will make the glass frosted or obscured.
« Last Edit: 19/03/2009 20:01:58 by Soul Surfer »
Logged
Learn, create, test and tell
evolution rules in all things
God says so!
 

lyner

  • Guest
Why is glass transparent yet copper metal is opaque?
« Reply #2 on: 19/03/2009 10:28:32 »
Brill explanation!
Well put.
Logged
 

Offline yor_on

  • Naked Science Forum GOD!
  • *******
  • 28583
  • Activity:
    100%
  • Thanked: 65 times
  • (Ah, yes:) *a table is always good to hide under*
    • View Profile
Why is glass transparent yet copper metal is opaque?
« Reply #3 on: 19/03/2009 19:47:55 »
Interesting, when I think of why you can see through glass I think about its molecular structure primarily. Its ordered similar to a fluid but rigid, I guess that's why some say it is a very slow running 'fluid' :). If you consider water, or a gas the light have ways through it, the molecules don't absorb as much of the viewable spectrum as there are 'holes' between them. Also our viewable light doesn't get absorbed as much by the electronsclouds in glass. But that depends on what type of glass it is.
« Last Edit: 19/03/2009 19:50:53 by yor_on »
Logged
"BOMB DISPOSAL EXPERT. If you see me running, try to keep up."
 



  • Print
Pages: [1]   Go Up
« previous next »
Tags:
 

Similar topics (5)

Can you mix molten metal and molten salt?

Started by ...lets split up...Board Chemistry

Replies: 5
Views: 6129
Last post 08/11/2019 18:06:48
by Bored chemist
Just read "Evolution Through the Looking Glass", I do not agree...

Started by MangalmurtiBoard Plant Sciences, Zoology & Evolution

Replies: 5
Views: 4710
Last post 03/10/2018 20:03:37
by Bored chemist
Does glass absorb extra heat in a microwave,continuing to heat water afterwards?

Started by MarianaMBoard Physics, Astronomy & Cosmology

Replies: 11
Views: 2214
Last post 21/06/2020 17:14:44
by vhfpmr
MOVED: Can I take Zinc from filling pure zinc metal

Started by HalcBoard Question of the Week

Replies: 0
Views: 146
Last post 16/01/2021 16:15:41
by Halc
Charged metal plate blocks/absorbs gamma radiation bette then a uncharged plate?

Started by McKayBoard Physics, Astronomy & Cosmology

Replies: 8
Views: 5243
Last post 09/11/2019 11:48:34
by Bored chemist
There was an error while thanking
Thanking...
  • SMF 2.0.15 | SMF © 2017, Simple Machines
    Privacy Policy
    SMFAds for Free Forums
  • Naked Science Forum ©

Page created in 0.114 seconds with 44 queries.

  • Podcasts
  • Articles
  • Get Naked
  • About
  • Contact us
  • Advertise
  • Privacy Policy
  • Subscribe to newsletter
  • We love feedback

Follow us

cambridge_logo_footer.png

©The Naked Scientists® 2000–2017 | The Naked Scientists® and Naked Science® are registered trademarks created by Dr Chris Smith. Information presented on this website is the opinion of the individual contributors and does not reflect the general views of the administrators, editors, moderators, sponsors, Cambridge University or the public at large.