Dark matter_____ absorb light,______ emit radiation, and_____ been observed directly.
Dark matter does not absorb light, does not emit radiation, and has not been observed directly.
Dark matter does not absorb light, emit radiation, and has not been observed directly. Dark matter refers to a hypothetical type of matter that does not interact with electromagnetic radiation (including light) in the same way that visible matter does.
To understand why dark matter does not absorb light, we need to dive into the properties of visible matter, such as atoms and molecules. In visible matter, light interacts with electrons in atoms, causing them to absorb or emit photons. This interaction is what allows us to see objects, as light is absorbed and then re-emitted or scattered.
However, dark matter is believed to be made up of particles that do not interact with light. It neither absorbs nor emits radiation. This is why dark matter cannot be detected through traditional telescopes or by directly observing its effects on light.
Despite not interacting with light, dark matter is inferred to exist from its gravitational effects on visible matter. Astronomers have noticed that the visible matter in galaxies, such as stars and gas, does not account for all the observed gravitational forces. By analyzing the motions of galaxies and the way they cluster together, scientists have determined that there must be a significant amount of unseen matter causing these gravitational effects. This matter is what we call dark matter.
While we have not directly observed dark matter, there are several experiments in progress aimed at detecting it indirectly. These experiments involve looking for signals of dark matter collisions, which could produce detectable particles or radiation. However, as of now, direct observation of dark matter remains elusive, and its exact nature and composition remain yet to be determined.