THE WORLD IS BEAUTIFUL

by **Paul** Tue 16 Apr 2024, 2:08 pm

SHINING FACTS
10 Mind-Blowing Facts About Light That Will Illuminate Your Mind

Published on April 16, 2024

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Credit: Tim Mossholder

Without light, there would be nothing - or at least we wouldn’t be able to tell the difference. A form of electromagnetic radiation that we evolved to perceive through our eyes, light is as mysterious a phenomenon as it is universal.
Delve with us into these 10 intriguing facts about light that will enlighten your mind and spark your curiosity.

1

Light is Both a Particle and a Wave

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Credit: Mathew Schwartz

Light constantly refuses to behave as we expect it to. Defying classification, it can exhibit characteristics of both particles and waves , a concept known as wave-particle duality. The famous double-slit experiment is one of the best demonstrations of this weird phenomenon, which seems to challenge our understanding of the fundamental nature of our reality.

2

Light Can Push Objects

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Credit: NASA/Marshall Space Flight Center, Public domain

Light sails are devices that harness the power of photons from sunlight or directed lasers to propel spacecraft. These sails utilize the momentum generated by photons striking their reflective surfaces, providing a potential means for interstellar travel without the need for conventional fuel. Although the phenomenon was known for centuries - even Johannes Kepler suggested that it could be exploited to navigate the void of space - it was successfully demonstrated for the first time in 2010 by the IKAROS experimental spacecraft.

3

Focusing Light

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Credit: Artem Bryzgalov

Lasers, short for "Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation," are concentrated beams of coherent light with numerous practical applications. From cutting-edge technologies like laser surgery and laser printing to everyday devices like barcode scanners and DVD players, lasers have revolutionized various industries since their invention in the 60s.

4

Even Light Can Be Slowed Down

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Credit: Kaleb Nimz

While the speed of light in a vacuum (about 186,282 miles per second) is considered a universal physical constant, it can still vary wildly when passing through different mediums. For instance, light slows down when passing through transparent substances such as water or glass, which is why objects underwater appear distorted.

5

Light Can be Both Absorbed and Emitted

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Credit: Joshua Harris

When light interacts with matter, it can be absorbed, causing the material to heat up . However, some materials can also emit some of this residual energy as light when excited by an external energy source. This phenomenon, known as fluorescence, is observed in all sorts of natural materials and even in some living organisms.

6

The Oldest Light in the Universe

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Credit: Thanh Nguyen

Cosmic microwave background radiation (CMB) is the oldest light in the universe , dating back to just 380,000 years after the Big Bang. While you can't see the CMB with your naked eye, its faint glow permeates the cosmos and provides crucial insights into the early universe's structure and composition. To appreciate it, scientists have to tune into the microwave part of the electromagnetic spectrum.

7

Light Can Actually Heal

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Credit: Lawrence Chismorie

Light is extensively used in medicine , and for a wide range of applications. Phototherapy, the therapeutic use of light, has been employed for centuries to treat various medical conditions. From UV light for skin disorders to laser therapy for surgical procedures, light-based treatments are way more common than you would think.

8

Light Can Be Used As Nano-Tweezers

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Credit: Bjschellenberg, CC BY-SA 4.0

Optical trapping, or laser tweezers, is a technique that uses super-focused laser beams to trap and manipulate microscopic particles. This groundbreaking method has a myriad of applications in both physics and biological research, allowing scientists to study individual cells or molecules with unprecedented precision.

9

Polarized Light Is Weirder Than You Think

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Credit: Ethan Robertson

Polarized light waves vibrate in a specific orientation, filtering out light waves oscillating in other directions. This property is harnessed in polarized sunglasses to reduce glare and improve visibility. Additionally, polarized light plays a vital role in technologies such as liquid crystal displays (LCDs), and can be even used for orientation in navigation. In fact, some researchers believe that Vikings made use of a polarizing device (a "sunstone") to find the location of the sun even in a completely overcast sky.

10 Modern Telecommunications Need Light to Work
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Credit: Denny Müller

Where would we be without optical fiber? Not on the Internet , most likely. These flexible strands of glass or plastic allow us to transmit light signals over long distances with minimal loss of signal quality, and they form the backbone of modern telecommunications networks, allowing for rapid and efficient communication across the globe. Also, optical fibers play a crucial role in medical imaging techniques like endoscopy, providing minimally invasive means of visualizing internal structures within the human body.