What happens to light (and sound)?

[G-CPTN]

Every night I visit the bathroom (several times).

I switch on the light (which 'floods' the bathroom), then switch it off.

Where does it go to?

Does it escape through the adjoining room?

Does it join up with dark matter (that we are lead to believe exists in abundance around us)?

I think we should be told.

[llondel]

It all gets absorbed into the surrounding walls, and ultimately ends up as heat. Every time you switch on the light, you are hastening the heat death of the universe.

[G-CPTN]

That seems plausible, as I have just had to open the bedroom window as I was 'overheating'.

[PHXPhlyer]

Cover the walls, floor, and ceiling with mirrors.
That should hold the light in until you open the door.

PP

[Boac]

On reflection, that should work.

[G~Man]

Put a flashlight in the room with the back cover off----that will capture it and you can use it later as needed. You just need batteries to stop the unit from imploding while holding all that energy. They work great--I have several.

[Fox3WheresMyBanana]

..and remember to switch the flashlight on before picking it up.
That way, it's lighter, as there are more lift bernoullis around.

[bob2s]

.and remember to switch the flashlight on before picking it up.
That would not work as I believe that flashlights are only used for carrying around dead batteries, hence no light when switched on.

[Fox3WheresMyBanana]

Good point, well made.
As ever with scientists, I provided information which was theoretically correct but of no practical use.

[OneHungLow]

It all gets absorbed into the surrounding walls, and ultimately ends up as heat. Every time you switch on the light, you are hastening the heat death of the universe.

Ah one of Kirchhoff's perfect black bodies!

A Vantablack moment...



Seems I am behind the times...



Probably still not as black as Adrian Mole's Noddy wallpaper after he painted it black, and still failed to hide Noddy's ubiquitous face.

[OneHungLow]

I thoroughly enjoyed this potted history of the science of light. I share it here.