Do Electrons Deflect Photons?

Most recent answer: 03/24/2011

Q:
what happens when light enters any medium other than vaccuum?i mean photons interact with electrons and nucleus still their path never changes. why??
- Prasann Sethi (age 19)
New Delhi
A:
I'm surprised you say "their path never changes". Think of what happens to light as it passes through a prism or a lens, or as it bounces off a mirror. Those interactions you mention do change the path of the light.

Mike W.

(published on 03/24/2011)