Comment on Does color change how hot a laser can get something?
SirSamuel@lemmy.world 1 month agoOh I have a question! Do all frequencies on the EM spectrum emit photons? Like, when gamma rays or X rays or microwaves hit something are photons bouncing off/being absorbed and we just can’t see them?
Successful_Try543@feddit.de 1 month ago
All EM waves are photons. When X and gamma rays interact with matter, e.g. by Compton scattering, i.e. hitting electrons of an atom. Thereby the photons loose discrete amounts of energy, leading to an increase of their wavelengths, and the electrons are then lifted on corresponding higher energy levels. When the electrons ‘fall’ back onto their base levels, additional photons are emitted.
Microwaves, however, have to low energy for this kind of interaction. They e.g. induce vibrations and oscillations of molecules which is perceived as a temperature increase.
SirSamuel@lemmy.world 1 month ago
Ooh neat! Thank you, very well described for a layman such as myself
Successful_Try543@feddit.de 1 month ago
You’re welcome.