 |
 |
 |
If asked what light is, one could say that it's one of the most basic
elements of our world and our universe as we perceive it. It is through
sight that we receive 90% of our information. It is through the use of
telescopes aiding the naked eye that we are aware of the heavenly bodies
around us. It is through light that the energy from the sun is transferred
to us. The sun's energy supports the food chain; plants use it to turn
water and CO2 into energy usable by other organisms. Solar energy was also
used, indirectly, to produce all of the fossil fuels that we consume daily.
Since light is such a basic part of our existence, we should have a basic
understanding of what it is.
What we call light, the intangible, powerful force that powers our world,
is somewhat hard to define in real terms. It shares properties with both
particles and waves. It follows the same rules as a wave does--it moves in
a regular fashion, in a perfect sine wave at a certain frequency. It
travels in a straight line, and is subject to refraction. All of these
characteristics are found in waves of any type, from radio frequency waves,
up to Gamma and X- rays. Light, however, also exhibits qualities
characteristic of particles such as neutrons and protons. A photon, or
quanta, is the "packet" of energy that is sent in a light wave. Like a
particle, the photon is believed to have a finite mass, and has the ability
to affect other matter. As light strikes a photovoltaic solar cell, it
knocks electrons in the silicon atoms on the surface into a higher state of
energy. When these return to their normal, or "ground" state, energy is
produced in the form of electricity. Thus, light is termed a "wave-
particle," and this property is called the "wave-particle duality of
nature." Many questions concerning what makes up light still lie unanswered,
but this much is thought to be true.
Light can be produced in a variety of ways. Our sun, like other stars,
uses nuclear fusion to produce energy in the form of light and radiation.
We can produce light artificially using several methods. If one starts a
fire, it produces light and ...
Autumn, in a deeper sense, is a magnificent ending to an era. Although all the leaves fall and the sun fails to shine for as long each day as it did during the summer, the death of the cycle of the living seasons is spectacular. It brings vibrant color, tolerable weather, and the promise that it will return again in the spring. Like life, people sp...
The environment is in a terrible condition and although an is not imminent we are definitely headed down that road. Some of the reasons for our Earth?s trouble are overpopulation, consumerism, and overconsumption. The earth?s population is ever increasing; it is only a matter of time before there are not enough resources to support life on the pla...
Epilepsy is a very common disorder and the international researches and surveys shows that 1 adult from 200 people suffers by epilepsy. There are several forms of epilepsy and every form causes another epileptic attack. Epilepsy is spread world wide, but it is a fact that this disorder is not well understood. Epilepsy strikes whomever at any age a...
When one starts a car or burns wood, the last thought on their mind is the consequences to these actions. Unfortunately, the daily dangers to earth are not widely know. Due to the constant change of society, this planet must cope with various problems. One of the most important ecological structures is the ozone layer. The same shield that protects...
A natural force is a power brought on by nature. , unlike those of other powers, are uncontrollable. When a hurricane passes along the coast, a bolt of lightning strikes a rooftop, and a volcano erupts, these are all examples of . can have devastating effects on wildlife, humans, and the earth itself. Our effects to resist these occurrences, our...
