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Visible Light Spectrum

Join us here to ask and answer questions on the "illuminating" topic of the visible light spectrum. This includes questions about: refraction, reflection, rainbows, prisms, mixing colored lights, and the spectrum of colors that make up white light.

1,220 Questions

Which best describes visible light in relation to other forms of electromagnetic radiation?

Visible light is a small region of the electromagnetic spectrum that is characterized by a specific range of wavelengths and frequencies

Why is it true to say that all EM radiation is light even though we can see only a small slice of the spectrum as visible light?

Visible light is a very small part of the EM spectrum and it is intellectual laziness to refer to all EM radiation as light.

How much more energy does a magnitude 4.0 have than a magnitude 2.0?

If it's airquakes you are talking about, the calculation for the ratio is:

10 to the power (4.0 - 2.0)

What process scatters white materials of visible light in all directions?

The process that scatters white materials of visible light in all directions is known as Rayleigh scattering. This phenomenon occurs when light interacts with small particles or molecules in a medium, causing the shorter wavelengths (like blue) to scatter more than longer wavelengths (like red). This scattering effect is responsible for the blue color of the sky and contributes to the diffusion of light in various materials, making them appear white. In essence, Rayleigh scattering helps to disperse light in multiple directions, creating a uniform appearance.

Can be visible or infrared?

I can't think of anything that could be those two and nothing but those two. Electronic structure spectroscopy is generally in the UV/Visible band, but I suppose it could extend down into the near IR. Vibrational spectroscopy (with rotational fine structure) is in the IR, but doesn't make it up into the visible region.

What is the visible wave length range?

Very roughly from 380 nanometers (red) to 750 nanometers (blue/violet).

The 'limits' aren't the same for all eyes.

Why does ultraviolet light cause serious health issues on your body but visible light does not?

That is a matter of what you consider serious.

Some people have a sensitivity to light and perfer dark rooms. Wearing sunglasses is a necessity for these people, not a fashion statement.

But the energy assiciated with electromagnetic energy, visible light or uv, depends on the wavelength. The energy of uv rays happens to coincide with energies of certain chemical changes. When you change the chemicals that make up skin cells this can lead to cancer. That of visible light --not as much.

Is there a material that reflects UV but absorbs IR and visible light?

Yes, titanium dioxide is a material that can reflect UV light while absorbing IR and visible light. It is commonly used in sunscreen products for its ability to protect against harmful UV radiation while remaining transparent in the visible light spectrum.

Can you bend light?

Yes, but only with the help of mirrors otherwise light would be bknown to travel in wavy lines!

What bulbs do not have filament And how do they light up?

Flourescent bulbs. They have no filament and they light up. They have argon gas and a small amount of mercury in them. When electricity is added, the argon and mercury atoms get excited and collide against each other and create light. The light is ultraviolet light and if the bulb is not coated inside with phosphorous, you have a black light.

Why the filament in a bulb lights up?

because filaments are generally good conductors of heat , so the filament burns first and then gets heated up and then gives light.