How do atoms only reflect one frequency of light?
In: Physics
They don’t. Where’d you get such a silly idea?
They don’t. Different atoms reflect many different frequencies of light, even multiple frequencies at the same time. In fact, this is one of the ways of identifying them: by seeing what frequencies they emit. It is kind of like a fingerprint or signature.
As others have said it is many specific frequencies.
Answering the follow up question: why?
Quantum mechanics. At a very low level electrons are restricted in what energies they are able to have. This means if light has energy which would force an electron into one of these restricted states it won’t be absorbed(transparency). And back to your question, it means the ‘path’ the energized electron takes back down to it’s normal energy level is fairly consistent. This path is a combination of new photons emitted (reflected light) and vibrations in the material (heat).
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