Question from Eisberg and Resnick.

From: robert j. kolker (nowhere_at_nowhere.net)
Date: 12/21/04 

Date: Tue, 21 Dec 2004 09:15:03 -0500

This is a question that appears in the textbook -Quantum Physics- but it
is not homework since I am not taking a course in quantum theory. Here
it is:

Question 5: A piece of metal glows with a bright read color at 1100 deg
K. At this temperature a piece of quartz does not glow at all. Hint:
Quartz is transparent to visible light.

It is clear that quartz is not a blackbody. It does not emit as much
energy as it absorbs or passes through. But the real question is what in
the molecular or atomic makeup of SiO2 makes it not a blackbody?

And the more general question: What makes some solids transparent or
translucent to visible light, i.e. what is it about their atomic or
molecular makeup? I did some googling and saw material refering to gaps
in the quantum numbers of the electrons, but frankly I do not really
understand this.

If someone would be kind enought explain what is what to an over the
hill retired computer programmer (me) in words of three syllable or
less, I would be much in your debt.

TIA.

Bob Kolker

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Question from Eisberg and Resnick.
    ... > is not homework since I am not taking a course in quantum theory. ... > Quartz is transparent to visible light. ... > the molecular or atomic makeup of SiO2 makes it not a blackbody? ... SiO2 electrons are perfectly stable as far ...
    (sci.physics)
  • Re: Question from Eisberg and Resnick.
    ... > is not homework since I am not taking a course in quantum theory. ... > At this temperature a piece of quartz does not glow at all. ... Quarts is a black body radiator, but it's emission spectrum isn't ... > Bob Kolker ...
    (sci.physics)