Question
What happens to the photons that dont go through the filter?
Answers
GPT-4o mini
When photons encounter a filter (such as a polarizer or a color filter), those that do not pass through the filter are absorbed, reflected, or scattered. The specific outcome depends on the type of filter and the wavelength of the incoming photons.
1. **Absorption**: Photons that are absorbed transfer their energy to the atoms or molecules in the filter material, often resulting in an increase in thermal energy (heat) within the filter.
2. **Reflection**: Some photons may be reflected off the surface of the filter instead of passing through or being absorbed. This can depend on the angle of incidence and the properties of the filter material.
3. **Scattering**: A small fraction of photons may undergo scattering, where their direction changes but they do not make it through the filter. This is less common and generally more relevant in filters that are not perfectly transparent.
So, in summary, photons that do not pass through a filter are typically either absorbed or reflected, depending on the nature of the filter and the characteristics of the light interacting with it.
1. **Absorption**: Photons that are absorbed transfer their energy to the atoms or molecules in the filter material, often resulting in an increase in thermal energy (heat) within the filter.
2. **Reflection**: Some photons may be reflected off the surface of the filter instead of passing through or being absorbed. This can depend on the angle of incidence and the properties of the filter material.
3. **Scattering**: A small fraction of photons may undergo scattering, where their direction changes but they do not make it through the filter. This is less common and generally more relevant in filters that are not perfectly transparent.
So, in summary, photons that do not pass through a filter are typically either absorbed or reflected, depending on the nature of the filter and the characteristics of the light interacting with it.