Say you had a sphere with a totally reflective coating on the inside that was like a one-way mirror, light could pass one way, not the other. If you shine a light into it, wouldn't the light just keep bouncing around inside? There would be nothing there to absorb the light.
2006-12-20 03:34:17 · 3 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
I didn't mean for the flashlight to stay on - only flash for an instant, letting in only so many photons.
2006-12-20 04:05:23 · update #1
theoretically yes. But no such reflective surface exists. Furthermore, the hole by which light entered would have to be plugged so fast that the light (which is moving a light speed, might i remind you) doesn't have time bounce around and re-exit through the same hole.
2006-12-20 07:24:40 · answer #1 · answered by promethius9594 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes I agree with your concept.
However, as light continues to get in, the number of photons will increase and the radiation pressure will increase until the sphere bursts and the light comes out.
If the flashlight stays on only shortly, then it should be possible but a material for this job must first be found. The closest thing would be a semisilvered mirror but there is leakage.
We can instead use the same apparatus as for black body radiation and allow light to enter through a pinhole, which will have to be sealed very quickly indeed.
2006-12-20 03:46:59 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
With a one way mirror light actually goes through the reflective side. So light wouldn't ever be able to get into your sphere.
2006-12-20 03:38:25 · answer #3 · answered by btecrazed 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋