Posted on 03/25/2010 10:57:48 AM PDT by neverdem
Of course it is.
Notice that those things we call "light bulbs" turn dark or black when they've collected all the dark they can hold? Some get so full of dark matter they won't let any light in, so they look silvery and reflect your image (light) back at you! ;^)
Not sure why this seems to be a big deal; we've used different frequencies to cause physical actions on the atomic/molecular level for decades.
One of my favorite quotes of all time: “Those who say science and religion are incompatible are missing the point of both.”
I comprehensively verified that theory through extensive experimentation with a magnifying glass and some unlucky ants as a young lad.
If I'm remembering correctly back in the mid to late 60's photocell operated relays were fabricated from cadmium sulfide as the photo sensitive element used to control the relay operation. I seem to recall selenium also have photo sensitive properties. Selenium was mainly used in "solid state" rectifiers to produce DC from AC input without resorting to vacuum tubes or mercury filled "ignitrons". This technology was in use before WWII and most contemporary EE have never even heard of it.
Regards,
GtG
Research Offers Clue Into How Hearts Can Regenerate in Some Species
New test takes guesswork out of diagnosing early-stage Alzheimer's disease
Memory decline linked to an inability to ignore distractions
FReepmail me if you want on or off my health and science ping list.
No, photons carry both energy and mass. This particular effects seems to be due to the energy they contain. But their momemtum can have large scale effects as well.
For example, if you had a really powerfull laser on a spaceship, it could be used to propel the ship. Shine it in one directoin and you accellerate in the other direction. Not very quickly unless it's really honking big laser, but move you will. Of course such a laser could be used as a weapon as well. Or for signaling over very very long distances.
The momentum of a photon, like it's energy, is only dependent on it's wavelength. (or color if it happens to fall in the visible spectrum).
OK.
So the other direction, lasers can now blast an incoming missile by heat and energy input ..... 8<)
Thanks for the ping.
Heat is energy. But, IIRC, some of the damage mechanism for short pulse lasers is due to momentum transfer. Short of like pounding on the missile with a ball peen hammer, only much harder.
But other lasers, such as the one on the ABL 747, do there thing by energy deposition.
Cheers!
Right on. Science is man's halting effort to read God's handwriting directly. We've translated a few letters of the alphabet.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.