Question

Will is learning about a new kind of plastic used to make models. He learns that infrared light is absorbed by the plastic, X-ray light is transmitted through the plastic, and visible light is reflected off the plastic. Will wonders if the plastic will melt if he shines the lights on it. Can light cause the plastic to melt? Why or why not? Does it matter what type of light he shines on the plastic?

Answer 1

Answer:

no it dosen't matter

Explanation:

because it absorbed the light so it had to damage it.

Answer 2

Answer: Yes, I think light can cause the plastic to melt, as long as the energy from the light is absorbed by the plastic.  

Explanation:

Visible light will not melt the plastic because the energy does not pass through the plastic, it reflects off ensuring that the plastic does not absorb the energy. X-ray light is transmitted through the plastic, unlike the visible light, but the energy still isn't absorbed by it. The infrared light is the only one left, it is absorbed by the plastic allowing it to change and melt the material, unlike the visible and x-ray lights.