Depending on size does/Could a shadow weight anything?
2007-07-10 14:00:37 · 6 answers · asked by Mr. Inconspicuous 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
Since light has momentum and exerts pressure, a shadow falling on the pan of a very sensitive balance would show a very slight negative weight.
2007-07-10 14:05:32 · answer #1 · answered by injanier 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A shadow is not a physical thing, it is merely a place where there's less light than in the surroundings. A shadow is simply the default darkness things revert to when there's no light shining on them.
The above statement about light pressure is correct, but I wouldn't say the shadow has a weight, only that a scale calibrated with light pressure will read incorrectly in the dark.
2007-07-10 21:08:45 · answer #2 · answered by lithiumdeuteride 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
in no case. Weight forces are produced by masses atraction. There is no matter in a shadow, it is just what we see on materials where light source is covered.
Hence, the mass of a shadow is null. Shadows do not weight.
2007-07-10 21:42:29 · answer #3 · answered by borjamolera 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Since a shadow has no mass of its own, it technically has no weight. I don't think the light's effect on it counts.
2007-07-10 21:33:44 · answer #4 · answered by pajaro 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Nope. It sure couldn't.
2007-07-10 21:05:16 · answer #5 · answered by aviophage 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I like "injanier" answer. He da man..!
2007-07-10 21:20:45 · answer #6 · answered by Chug-a-Lug 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋