you cannot SEE the beams during the day-light hours?
2007-10-23 23:40:35 · 7 answers · asked by nookie181 5 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
The answer to this question involves why you can see headlights at night. If you're driving, in theory you shouldn't be able to see the headlight beams at all. Sure, you can see their reflection off the landscape (that's the point of them, after all), but the actual light being emitted from the headlights themselves shouldn't be seen, unless it's being pointed at you. The laser works in a similar way, and you can't see that beam (normally), but you can see the spot that reflects off the wall.
So... what's going on here? Well, ever tried pointing a laser through a dusty room, or a liquid? You *can* see the beam! The reason is because the light is scattering off the dust in the air, and the relatively more dense liquid (than air). Same mechanism works for headlights (it's easier because there's much more to be scattered).
During the day, however, this scattered light is overpowered by the much more intense sunlight being scattered through the atmosphere and off the surface of ground and everything else. So... you *are* seeing your headlights during the day, but you can't distinguish it from the rest of the background.
Good question!
2007-10-24 01:30:12 · answer #1 · answered by kain2396 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Because the surrounding light is of similar or equal strength to the headlights and since the light is already there, you cannot tell apart the beam lights and the sunlight. everything is illuminated.
2007-10-24 06:44:27 · answer #2 · answered by kate331 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You certainly are not a Rocket Scientist! Light is brighter than surrounding area at night, dimmer during daylight.
2007-10-24 06:56:50 · answer #3 · answered by daboss 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its just electric. You cant see them in the day because its all light so the light is just blended with the other light.
2007-10-24 06:46:14 · answer #4 · answered by Hollywood Whore Boulevard Kitten 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, you certainly can if its shining directly in your face. However, your pupils contract to accomodate daylight, making you less sensitive to light, and the contrast with daylight objects is low.
2007-10-24 09:58:03 · answer #5 · answered by Dr. R 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As more powerful sunlight exists headlight can not be noticed
2007-10-24 07:01:42 · answer #6 · answered by Joymash 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because it,s not dark you dim wit
2007-10-24 07:03:40 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋