Webb image archive
Interactions Between Light and Matter
Light and matter interact with each other in various ways. Matter can absorb light (take it in); emit light (give it off); transmit light (allow it to pass through); reflect light...
- Date
- Dec 13, 2023
- Observatory
- James Webb Space Telescope
- Credit
- NASA / ESA / CSA / STScI
- Archive ID
- 01F8GF7ARTW59HQ4M6MJDA5GE8
Light and matter interact with each other in various ways. Matter can absorb light (take it in); emit light (give it off); transmit light (allow it to pass through); reflect light (cause it to bounce off); and refract light (cause it to change speed and direction). Different materials interact with different wavelengths (colors) of light in different ways.
Credits
Illustration
NASA, ESA, Leah Hustak (STScI)