Why does light bounce off objects?

Question

anonymous · Answer

I think that light bounces off of objects so that we could see them. My answer is simple, but it's all I got.

canislupus · Answer

Well, that is a start. And thanks for replying. I don't think light is doing us a favor though:) I think we see objects because light bounces off them.

anonymous · Answer

yea that sounds right

canislupus · Answer

The question remains though. Keeping in mind that light is an electromagnetic wave and objects are made of atoms, which are mostly open space, with electrons orbiting the nucleus at huge distances.

anonymous · Answer

i get what you mean

anonymous · Answer

this phenomenon is diffraction.. when the light wavelength is comparable to the object size it bends off a bit...it plays a major role in eyes (surprisingly) as there is blood between the receptor nerves and the curvature, and we would not be able to see anything if diffraction does not occur, the  blood cells are comparable to the wavelength of light, you could also feel that this thing if you view towards a bright light...you will observe some tiny dots int that light they are rbc! other examples are solar eclipse, diffraction patterns and many others..they signifies the wave nature of light.

canislupus · Answer

Divu, thanks for your response. That was really interesting. But my question is more focused on the quantum level. If atoms are made of a tiny nuclei with even smaller electrons orbiting at great distances, what does the photon bounce off of?

aaronq · Answer

"If atoms are made of a tiny nuclei with even smaller electrons orbiting at great distances, what does the photon bounce off of?"

you're forgetting about electromagnetism; atoms are modelled as electric fields and so are photons, these interact through space and don't need (dont ever really do as far as I know) make direct physical contact.

anonymous · Answer

if you want to get to know diffraction at a quantum level...read about tunneling, this is what happens when photons go near nucleus in their saturation points...

canislupus · Answer

Thank you, divu.mkr. That was an interesting read ....