Why do Light Rays Show up in Smoke?

how why do laser light rays and normal light rays show up in smoke?
- Hunter (age 14)
Plaquemine,Louisiana,U.S.A

Smoke is made up of tiny particles. The particles reflect light rays to all directions, including where we stand. As a result, we can see the path of the beam on the side. You have raised an important point that we can't see the path were it not for the smoke, because there is no light coming to our eyes.

Tsung-Lin Hsieh

(published on 09/30/2011)