10 properties of light

In physics, there are two theories by which light can be defined: the first theory defines light as particles and the second theory as waves. When considering measurement equipment such as spectro[radio]meters, which measure light in wavelengths, the second theory is the most suitable to explain light.

There are 7 basic properties of light :

• Reflection of light.
• Refraction of light.
• Diffraction of light.
• Interference of light.
• Polarization of light.
• Dispersion of light.
• Scattering of light.

• Properties of Light.
• Properties of Light • • • • • • • • • Effects of Materials on Light Reflection Refraction Dispersion Total Internal Reflection Interference Diffraction Scattering of Light Polarization.
• Effects of Materials on Light Materials can be classified based on how it responds to light incident on them: 1.

Sources of Light Energy

• Sun: It is the natural source and is considered as the oldest source of light energy.
• Electric bulbs: They are an important artificial source of light.
• Flame: On burning a fuel, it will produce a flame which emits light.

Light energy comes in many different forms, including:

• Visible light.
• Infrared waves.
• X-rays.
• Ultraviolet light.
• Gamma rays.
• Radio waves.
• Microwaves.

Light waves travel out from their source in straight lines called rays. Rays do not curve around corners, so when they hit an opaque object (one that does not allow light to pass through it), they are blocked from reaching the other side of that object.

What are some examples of light energy? Light energy is given off by things like stars, light bulbs, lasers, and hot objects. Our Sun – which is also a star – transmits light energy to Earth. The Sun is a natural source of light energy.

By the equation E = h ν E=h/nu E=hν , we have seen how the frequency of a light wave is proportional to its energy.

Light energy is an Electromagnetic radiation. It is referred to as visible light of electromagnetic spectrum. Light is a radiant energy and is an electromagnetic radiation which travels in a straight line and can be seen with the naked eye in the specific wavelength.

Natural sources of light include our sun and other stars, where the source of energy is nuclear energy (recall that the moon does not produce light but merely reflects sunlight), lightning, where the source is electrical, and fire, where the energy source is chemical.

A few examples of natural light sources include the Sun, stars and candles. A few examples of artificial light sources include light bulbs, lamp posts and televisions. Without light sources we could not see the world around us, however, not every object we see is a light source.

Light is the main source of energy for all living organisms. Plants, main sustainers of life, are crucial in this conversion process and need light for photosynthesis that enables them to make their own food and food for others. And, perhaps more importantly, photosynthesis produces oxygen too!

The Moon gets its light from the Sun. In the same way that the Sun illuminates Earth, the Moon reflects the Sun’s light, making it appear bright in our sky. Have your child hold the fruit at arm’s length, pointing at the light.

It’s a true physical effect, caused by the fact that – when the moon is low in the sky – you’re seeing it through a greater thickness of Earth’s atmosphere than when it’s overhead. The atmosphere filters out the bluer wavelengths of white moonlight (which is really reflected sunlight).

Unlike a lamp or our sun, the moon doesn’t produce its own light. Moonlight is actually sunlight that shines on the moon and bounces off. The light reflects off old volcanoes, craters, and lava flows on the moon’s surface.

Candle, sun and bulb emit light radiation when they glow, so they are the sources of light. But black body do not emit light and thus is is not a source of light.

A light one billion times brighter than the surface of the Sun has now been created in a lab, making it the brightest light ever produced on Earth. The record-breaking laser beam has revealed new properties of light, and it could be used in medical equipment or to create more powerful computer chips.

In terms of visible light, stars are the main source of it in the Universe, but not the only source. Ironically the other major source of light is black holes.

Natural sources of light include the sun, stars, fire, and electricity in storms. There are even some animals and plants that can create their own light, such as fireflies, jellyfish, and mushrooms. Most of the lights that are man-made need an energy source, such as electricity or batteries, to produce light.

The Sun

: the light from the sun : sunlight indoor photographs made in natural light.

While natural light is produced by the sun, artificial light sources can include incandescent bulbs, fluorescent tubes and light-emitting diodes (LEDs). Sunlight contains all the colors of the spectrum, which is necessary for photosynthesis in plants.

Halogen bulbs

Daylight is the natural light that there is during the day, before it gets dark. It was still daylight but all the cars had their headlights on.

When it comes to appearances of people, light that is directional causes clearly divided lit and unlit areas on the face, making the eyes appear more sunken in and nose appear more elevated than under natural light.

Light is also a spiritual symbol of hope. In many of the world’s religions, light signifies salvation from the darkness of sin. Believers gain confidence from knowing that letting their light of faith shine in a dark world can bring about real change for the better in their lives.