How come we can't see Air? is it invisible? And does that prove that invisibility is possible?

Answer 1

Air(minus dust/ suspended particulate matter) is transparent, colourless gaseous fluid hence can not be seen at normal temperatures- only at temperatures exceeding 600deg Celsius it becomes visible.

The term 'Invisible' is not really applicable in this context (of gaseous air). However, there is loads of dust/ suspended particulate matter in the air, though we can not see them- they are apparantly invisible except when a ray of light is seen in a dark room- that's because in a normally lighted place multiple diffraction creates a scenario where the eye can not resolve the extremely small sized particles.

Thus, normally speaking air, despite loads of particulate matter is generally invisible- implying that 'anything which can not be resolved by the eye under specific conditions is invisible under those conditions'.

Similarly, millions of species of microscopic/ sub-microscopic organisms (eg- amoeba, Hydra, paramecium, bacteria, viruses, etal) exist, but are invisible to the naked eye though can be seen under a microscope at required magnifications.

Thus, anything having mass will be visible under some set of conditions and may be invisible under another set of conditions.

Hence, there is nothing such as 'total invisibility'

Answer 2

Air is nearly invisible because photons of light pass through it nearly unaffected. Light travels slightly faster in a perfect vacuum like outer space. When air is heated unevenly as on a hot road, you can see the air shimmer, similar the a mirage on a desert that looks like water, lots of water!

For you to be invisible, photons would have to pass right through you unaffected. This would be impossible it you contained normal atoms and molecules required for flesh and bone (unless you were a ghost!?). Or you must reflect all photons like a perfect mirror without any distortion unless distortion would be invisible (as in a six-sided room painted blue, etc.). Movie makers often use "blue rooms" to make people invisible, but they still "show" up for pay.

Answer 3

Like a lot of gasses they are clear, why the interest in invisibility?. If it were possible for you to become invisible you would be BLIND!. The eyes work by light entering the lens of the eyes and hitting the retinas. If you were invisible the image would just pass right though the retinas.

Answer 4

Air isn't invisible it just doesn't scatter or absorb enough light for us to recognize it casually. it doesn't scatter or absorb much light because it isn't dense enough to do so.

You can see air if you look at distant objects. The further away they are the more blue light the air between you and them scatters to your eyes. It's called atmospheric perspective.

You could lower your density by being turned into a gas. Being vaporized just might make you invisible, but it would definitely kill you as well. A pretty crappy trade-off.

Answer 5

Of course invisibility is possible, specially for human beings. We can only see a small range of the light frequency. Any thing else under or above that spectrum is invisible to the human eye (X rays, gamma rays,...).

Answer 6

we can see air... but not at room temperature at least....

Visibility is just being able to be seen by the naked eye. there are many things out there that are not visible... but they are not invisible...

Answer 7

Hhehe good question! I think if you look close enough you can see air because air is made up of all sorts of things including dust & pollen.