Light waves already do travel through matter. In fact, the interaction of light with matter is a fundamental aspect of many physical phenomena. When light passes through a material medium, it can be absorbed, transmitted, or scattered depending on the properties of the material.
If light waves were to pass through matter without any interaction or absorption, it would have significant implications. One immediate consequence would be that objects would no longer be visible since light waves would simply pass through them without being absorbed or scattered by their surfaces. Our ability to see and perceive the world around us relies on the interaction of light with matter, so if light did not interact with matter, our visual experience would be drastically different.
Additionally, the behavior of light passing through transparent materials like glass or water would change. Currently, when light enters a transparent medium, it can be refracted, meaning its direction changes due to the change in the medium's optical properties. If light could travel through matter without any interaction, it would not refract or bend as it passes from one medium to another. This would affect various optical phenomena and our understanding of how light behaves.
Furthermore, the concept of energy transfer would be altered. Currently, when light is absorbed by matter, it can transfer energy to the material, leading to various effects like heating. If light waves could pass through matter without being absorbed, the transfer of energy through light would be impossible, potentially disrupting many natural processes that rely on energy transfer.
It's important to note that the interaction of light with matter is a fundamental principle of our understanding of optics and the behavior of electromagnetic radiation. If light waves were to behave differently and not interact with matter, it would require a fundamental reevaluation and restructuring of our current scientific understanding.