5.

Light Energy and Its Sources

What is light? Light is not something you can touch or taste. It
doesn’t have any mass. But you can see light, and it has other effects
on matter. For example, a penny put in sunlight will get warmer than
a penny placed in the shade. The penny in the sunlight gains energy
from the light. Based on these observations, we can say that light is a
form of energy that can be detected by the human eye. (After you
have studied the properties of light, you will be able to state a more
complex definition of light.)
You can learn more about light by looking carefully around you.
For example, in a room lit by electric light, you can see the light
that comes directly from
the electric light to your
eyes. But what about other Light travels directly from the source to your eye.
objects in the room? How
can you see them? The
light energy from the
electric light must spread
throughout the room.
Some of it bounces off Some of the light is absorbed
objects, then travels to your and is transformed into
eyes, enabling you to see thermal energy.
objects and people in the
room. Figure 1 shows how Figure 1
light reaches your eyes. Light energy travels directly and indirectly to your eyes.

Sources of Light and Reflectors of Light

Light energy comes from many different sources, both natural
and artificial. The Sun is the most important natural light source.
Artificial sources of light are created by people. Objects that emit
(give off) their own light are said to be luminous. The Sun is
luminous; a burning candle is luminous. Objects that do not
emit light, but only reflect light from other sources, are said to be
nonluminous. Most things—this book, your desk, your classmates—
are nonluminous. Even the Moon is nonluminous; it does not emit
light. We see the Moon because it reflects light from the Sun.
In luminous objects, the input energy transforms into light
energy. Common initial forms of energy are chemical energy,
electrical energy, nuclear energy, and thermal energy.
When designing light sources, people consider not only the
brightness, location, attractiveness, and cost of a light source, they
also consider how effectively the source transforms the initial
energy into light energy. As you read about various light sources,
consider which ones produce a lot of heat—they are not efficient
sources of light.

268 Unit 5
a Electrical energy transforms
into heat and light energy in
an incandescent light bulb.
Electricity passing through a
fine metal wire (the tungsten b Thermal energy can heat a metal to
filament) makes the wire such a high temperature that it emits c A kerosene lamp can provide enough light to
very hot when the bulb is light. Such light ranges from dull red read by. The chemical energy in the kerosene
turned on. through yellow to white and blue-white fuel transforms into heat and light energy.
as the metal gets hotter. The colour
of the emitted light indicates when the
molten metal is ready to be poured.
Figure 2
Incandescent light sources.

Light from Incandescence

Things that are extremely hot become
luminous. At high temperatures, they begin
to emit light. The process of emitting light
because of a high temperature is called
incandescence. Some incandescent sources of
light are shown in Figure 2. In incandescent
sources, a large amount of the input energy
becomes thermal energy, so these sources
are not efficient sources of light.

Light from Phosphorescence

Certain materials, called phosphors, will
give off light for a short time after you shine
a light on them. They store the energy and
then release it gradually as light energy. The
process of emitting light for some time after
receiving energy from another source is
called phosphorescence. The colour of the
light and how long it lasts depend on the
material used. This is a good way to make Figure 3
light switches that glow in the dark. Figure 3 The painted luminous dials on some watches
shows a phosphorescent light source. and clocks are phosphorescent.

Optics 269
Light from Electric Discharge
When electricity passes through a gas, the gas particles
can emit light. This process of emitting light because
of electricity passing through a gas is called electric
discharge.
Lightning is an example of electric discharge in
nature. The electricity discharges through the air, from
one cloud to another, or from a cloud to Earth. Artificial
light sources also make use of electric discharge.
Electricity is passed through tubes filled with gases such
as neon. The electricity causes the gases to emit light, as
you can see in Figure 4. Neon gas gives off a red-orange
colour. Sodium vapour gives off a yellowish light. Other
gases emit light of other colours. Figure 4
An artificial light source that makes use of
Light from Fluorescence electric discharge.

Fluorescence is the process of emitting light

while receiving energy from another source.
Fluorescent tubes are used in schools, offices,
and sometimes in homes. Fluorescent tubes
take advantage of electric discharge and
phosphorescence, as shown in Figure 5. In
fluorescent tubes, the phosphors are of a
kind that emits light for only a very brief
time, much less than a second, after the
light is turned off.

Electricity sparks a discharge by the particles of the

mercury vapour, causing them to emit ultraviolet
(UV) energy. UV energy is invisible, so it would not
help you see. The UV energy is absorbed by a
phosphor coating on the inside of the tube. The
coating emits light that you can see.
Figure 5
A fluorescent light source. Fluorescent tubes do not produce
as much heat as incandescent light bulbs.

270 Unit 5
Light from Chemiluminescence Understanding Concepts
Chemiluminescence is the process of changing chemical 1. Which of the following are
energy into light energy with little or no change in luminous?
temperature. (a) campfire
Safety lights, or “cool lights,” produce light by
(b) the Moon
chemiluminescence. In these devices, a thin wall
separates two chemicals, as shown in Figure 6. When (c) a hot toaster filament
this wall is broken, the chemicals mix and react to 2. For the following luminous objects,
produce a light until the chemicals are used up. make a flow chart to illustrate the
process they use to emit light
and the type of energy that is
two different liquids plastic rod transformed into light energy:
(a) the lights in your home
(b) a lit match
(c) a car headlight
(d) Day-Glo paints and fabrics
sealed glass
tube attached 3. Explain in your own words
to inside of the difference between a
plastic rod phosphorescent source and
a fluorescent source.
4. Describe how a flashlight can
be luminous. Describe how it
can also be nonluminous.

Making Connections
Figure 6
5. While cycling, your body’s
Cool lights are chemiluminescent light sources.
efficiency is about 20%. This
means your body uses about
Light from Bioluminescence 20% of the energy available
Some living things, such as the fish in Figure 7, can make for cycling. The remaining 80%
becomes heat. Incandescent bulbs
themselves luminous using a chemical reaction similar to have an efficiency of about 5%,
chemiluminescence. This process is called bioluminescence. fluorescent tubes about 20%.
Fireflies, glow-worms,
(a) Why does a bright
and types of fish, incandescent bulb get
squid, bacteria, and much hotter than a bright
fungi all display fluorescent tube?
bioluminescence. (b) Why don’t people always use
the most energy-efficient type
of lighting? What other factors
Figure 7 could affect their decision?
Many of the organisms that
live deep in the ocean are Exploring
bioluminescent. Scientists
are not sure why so many 6. Which kind of light source would
species glow. Perhaps it be safest to use in buildings or
allows members of the same mines that may be filled with
species to find each other. explosive gas?

Reflecting
7. List ways in which light energy
Which of the sources of light discussed here could you use in is important in your life. What
your Challenge? What more would you have to learn about sources of light do you use?
each source before deciding which is best for your uses?

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