2007-08-24 09:03:08 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
The laser light travels through the vacuum, but in the absence of anything in its way, the only way you could see the light beam is at the point it hits something solid. In the earths atmosphere, normally you can't see the laser beam either, it is only when there is dust/smoke/steam in the path of the laser, that the beam becomes visible
2007-08-24 09:20:30 · answer #1 · answered by Chin 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The laser light travels through the vacuum, but in the absence of anything in its way, the only way you could see the light beam is at the point it hits something solid. In the earths atmosphere, normally you can't see the laser beam either, it is only when there is dust/smoke/steam in the path of the laser, that the beam becomes visible
2007-08-25 01:10:03 · answer #2 · answered by bala 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First, let us all hope you're asking about a laser! And to help you in your search for truth, realize that any material you can push an electron thru will lase. You could actually get a watermelon to lase but you'd get 100 objective stipulations about what it was that actually produced the radiation.
I think we have all seen the laboratory genies. Small rectangular boxes that produce a simple red beam of laser light primarily used for aiming purposes. There are CO2 lasers used by weapons labs that lase a beautiful purple color.
All I'm trying to say is that the material used to create the initial lase will determine your ability to see the beam. And yes, if it's red in the lab, it's red in space too.
2007-08-24 09:44:02 · answer #3 · answered by fully_automatic_n_loaded 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A laser beam or any focused beam of light cannot be seen absent something to reflect its light to the observer's eye. The reason you can see a laser beam in a laboratory on earth is that the air is full of microscopic debris (as well as air molecules) which reflects the light to your eye. So, in the vacuum of space, you would not be able to see the laser beam.
2007-08-24 09:12:06 · answer #4 · answered by utarch 5 · 4⤊ 0⤋
laser beams are generally only visible when they strike particles of gases causing them to incandesce. If there are no gas particles, then the beam will not be visible unless it is aimed directly at the optic receptor.
2007-08-24 09:16:56 · answer #5 · answered by James L 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Basically a laser is a device that emits light. The beam of a laser would be seen in space (just like the light emitted from a star can be seen)
2007-08-24 09:14:27 · answer #6 · answered by McGarnagle 3 · 0⤊ 3⤋
The other chap is right. But the light beam from a Lazer will go to it's destination. Or, if you face it, it still will blind you.
2007-08-24 09:15:08 · answer #7 · answered by Trucky 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋