What is Light? - The Scientific Explanation!

Hey kids! Greetings to KidsCast! again. Today we will be learning Physics! Have you ever wondered what is Light actually? Like of course we know that Light is something like glowing, but what is that something? So without much ado, let's start with our article! 

Introduction:

Light is a form of energy. Light has an ability to reach certain objects and the objects then reflect the Light, which is why we see the objects. We, humans as well as animals cannot see without light. There are various sources of light. The most important source of light energy is the Sun! Without light from the Sun, there would be no plants or animals on Earth. Anyway, now we know that what is Light actually in Science, let us learn more about it in detail!

Sources of Light:

Other than the Sun, other objects provide light too, such as a bulb, Lamp or LED. Some animals give light, like fireflies and some type of fish. Lightning produces light too. 

Objects like electric bulbs, lamps and LEDs which are invented by humans are called Artificial Light. The 2 types of Artificial Light are Luminous and Non-Luminous Sources of Light.

Luminous Sources are those which give light of their own. Eg: Lamp. Non-Luminous Sources are those which reflect light falling on them and become visible. Eg: Moon. The Sun and other natural objects that produce light are called Natural Light. Now kids, let's learn a little about Shadow.

Transparent, Translucent and Opaque Objects:

Transparent Objects: These are those objects through which light can pass completely. This means that we can see through these type of objects. Eg: Clean glass, air, water, cellophane.

Translucent Objects: These are those objects through which light can pass partially. This means that we cannot see through them clearly. Eg: Sunglasses, Wax paper, Frosted glass.

Opaque Objects: These are those objects through which light cannot pass at all. It means that we cannot see through them. Eg: Stone wall, Wooden door, Closed Textbook.

Shadow:

When light is blocked by an opaque object, a shadow is formed. It may be short or tall, depending on the angle at which light is travelling.    

Speed of Light: 

Kids, have you ever wondered why you see the lightning then hear thunder? This is because, light travels faster than sound. The process happens together but they reach you at different moments. In fact, no object or energy is faster than light!

Rectilinear Propagation of Light:

In this activity, you will observe that the flame can only be seen when the holes are exactly in a straight line. When you disturb a cardboard, you will not be able to see the flame anymore.

Let's look at another activity.

In this activity too you will observe that you cannot see the flame through the bent pipe.

All these activities show that light travels in a straight line. This property of light is known as the Rectilinear Propagation of Light.

Reflection of Light:

When light falls on an object, some of it is bounced off from its surface. When this bounced light falls on our eyes, we see the object.

This bouncing off of light from a surface is known as Reflection of Light.

You can also reflect light using a mirror or glasses.

The Spectrum:

Have you seen a rainbow in the sky after it rains?

You see the different colors in the rainbow.

Did you know, that the rainbow is formed from sunlight?

Sir Isaac Newton, a great scientist (he lived in the 19th century), was the first to show that white light is made of seven different colors - Violet, Indigo, Blue, Green, Yellow, Orange and Red. They are in the order VIBGYOR. The pattern formed by these colors (also in the rainbow) is called the Spectrum. The rainbow is formed when the sun shines through the water droplets in rain.

Newton also showed that a prism can also produce a spectrum.

Fact: When you look at the white light, you see the spectrum, only that your eyes do not distinguish the colors separately.

Click on the link below to see how much you learnt about Light!
Click Here to Solve and Play the Quiz!

Wasn't that Interesting? Well, we will come up with more topics like this in the future! For now, that was all you needed to learn about The Basics of Light. So, till we publish our next post, Bye-Bye, Happy Learning!