What happens to Snell's Law when considering the atomic properties of materials?

In summary, the question is asking if Snell's Law holds true when a beam of low-intensity photons passes through a smooth surface with infinitesimal thickness and gaps between atoms. The answer is yes, as long as the material is considered to have no atoms in the continuum hypothesis. However, when considering the atomic properties of the material, Snell's Law may not hold true and other factors such as wave mechanics and electrodynamic boundary conditions must be taken into account.
  • #1
eminent_youtom
47
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Violation of Snell's Law??

Let's pass a beam of photon with low intensity towards a smooth surface. If the beam has infinitesimal thickness and passes through the gap of atoms, does it follow Snell's Law?
What are the restriction and limitation of Snell's Law?
your answer will be appreciated.
 
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  • #2
eminent_youtom said:
Let's pass a beam of photon with low intensity towards a smooth surface. If the beam has infinitesimal thickness and passes through the gap of atoms, does it follow Snell's Law?

First, let us consider the problem in the continuum hypothesis, ie. no atoms. In this case yes; Snells law can be derived using the ray optics model and triangular calculations, but it can also be derived using advanced wave mechanics and electrodymanic boundary conditions, which make no assumptions on the spatial extention of the wave.

In case of a wave of short wavelenght, the atomic properties of the material begins to be important. In this case, you wil have to consider the transmission and reflection as a scattering process from a regular latrice. Here braggs law give you the angels. It is, I suppose, if your latrice is completely regular, possible to make a photon of very short wavelenght travel through a latrice channel without interacting with the electrons.
 
  • #3
Troels said:
First, let us consider the problem in the continuum hypothesis, ie. no atoms. In this case yes; Snells law can be derived using the ray optics model and triangular calculations, but it can also be derived using advanced wave mechanics and electrodymanic boundary conditions, which make no assumptions on the spatial extention of the wave.

In case of a wave of short wavelenght, the atomic properties of the material begins to be important. In this case, you wil have to consider the transmission and reflection as a scattering process from a regular latrice. .

Thank you for your reply.
Its bit tough for me to understand. what does the atomic properties of the material begins to be important means? and how does snell's law hold on my question?
 

FAQ: What happens to Snell's Law when considering the atomic properties of materials?

What is Snell's Law and why is it important in science?

Snell's Law, also known as the Law of Refraction, is a fundamental principle in physics that describes the relationship between the angle of incidence and the angle of refraction when light passes through different materials. It is important in science because it helps us understand how light behaves when it travels through different mediums, which is crucial in fields such as optics, astronomy, and geology.

What happens when Snell's Law is violated?

When Snell's Law is violated, it means that the angle of refraction does not follow the expected pattern based on the angle of incidence and the refractive indices of the materials. This can occur when the light passes through a medium with a non-uniform refractive index, or when the light is reflected or scattered instead of being refracted.

What are some real-life examples of Snell's Law being violated?

One example of Snell's Law being violated is when light passes through a curved glass surface, such as in a curved lens or a fishbowl. The varying thickness of the glass causes the light to bend at different angles, resulting in a distorted image. Another example is when light travels through a mirage, where the temperature gradient in the air causes the light to bend and create an illusion of water on the road.

How can scientists account for Snell's Law being violated?

Scientists can account for Snell's Law being violated by using more complex models and equations, such as the Fermat's principle or the Huygens-Fresnel principle. These take into account factors such as varying refractive indices and multiple reflections to accurately describe the behavior of light in situations where Snell's Law cannot be applied.

What are the practical applications of understanding Snell's Law?

Understanding Snell's Law has many practical applications, such as in designing and improving lenses for cameras, telescopes, and glasses. It is also crucial in fields like meteorology, where the bending of light due to atmospheric conditions affects the accuracy of weather predictions. Additionally, Snell's Law is used in the manufacturing of optical fibers used in telecommunications, allowing for efficient and reliable transmission of information through light signals.

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