Transparency and translucency: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 09:23, 15 June 2024

Revision as of 09:25, 15 June 2024

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{{More citations needed section|date=April 2021}}

With regard to the absorption of light, primary material considerations include:

*At the electronic level, absorption in the [[ultraviolet]] and visible (UV-Vis) portions of the spectrum depends on whether the [[Atomic orbital|electron orbitals]] are spaced (or "quantized") such that electrons can absorb a [[quantum]] of light (or [[photon]]) of a specific [[frequency]], and does not violate [[selection rules]]. For example, in most glasses, electrons have no available energy levels above them in range of that associated with visible light, or if they do, theythe transition to them would violate [[selection rules]], meaning there is no appreciable absorption in pure (undoped) glasses, making them ideal transparent materials for windows in buildings.

*At the atomic or molecular level, physical absorption in the infrared portion of the spectrum depends on the [[frequencies]] of atomic or [[molecular vibrations]] or [[chemical bonds]], and on [[selection rule]]s. Nitrogen and oxygen are not greenhouse gases because there is no [[molecular dipole moment]].