In simple terms, how does light, say, sunlight, work?
We are taught that light travels “whenever sources of electric charge, such as electrons, are accelerated, the resulting energy is converted onto waves of electromagnetic energy that travels outward at the speed of light.” What we can understand from this statement is that light travels in waves of energy. So it must be made up of some sort of particles. What is the nature of these particles?
How does it work? Does it come in strands of energy made up of photons/quanta/……(not a scientist, so do feel free to fill in the blanks with the correct terminology) to strikes us/destination or is it something that energizes particles in its path, on its way to us ? If so, how does it travel through vacuum?
How does it pass through dense transparent objects like glass? If it’s made of any particular matter, it should be bounced off or absorbed, not let through. How does it go through transparent material?
We know that sunlight travels through space to reach us. But the space is a dark place, or so we’re told. When energy from sunlight reaches us, it should be lighting up the space on its way. Why doesn’t it? Someone said it is because space has nothing to reflect or absorb sunlight. That can’t be true as space is said to be full of rocks/meteorites/debris – we see them sometimes when they come hurtling past our flimsy atmosphere and ripple the ocean or scare a cow or two. So what gives? Why is Space dark? Or why does it look dark?
Light is something that has perplexed me like electricity.
