Why Everybody Should Wear Diapers

depend on the light we generate a thousand different ways. However, they all boil down to one basic principle, move the electrons inside an atom.


Within electromagnetic radiation only a small band of wavelengths (between 380 and 780 nm) form the visible spectrum, what we know as light. Understanding the mechanism for generating it requires us to descend to the level of atoms. Among them we find the electrons that form part of its structure. His position is not fixed and varies depending on the power they have, but his natural tendency is to reduce your energy level to a minimum and thus must discard any excess. His method? Exactly. Emit.

To make a material emits radiation, some electrons must provide enough energy to reach higher orbits so that, to decay naturally, the issue as radiation. Throughout history mankind has tried all methods but can be summarized in just five.

• Thermal Power: An increase in temperature provides energy to electrons. A common example would be an incandescent bulb has a filament between 2000 and 6000 degrees. An extreme example would be to sonoluminescence, where the implosion of bubbles generated by sound waves can raise small amounts of water temperatures above 30,000 degrees. But any body above absolute 0 (-273 degrees Celsius) emits infrared radiation constantly, more or less intensity, cooling in the process.

• chemical reactions: Probably the first thing the man could use. The formation of new molecules alters the position of the electrons that emit radiation to return to the position of minimum energy. There is also usually an increase in temperature, as in the fire, but this is not necessary as in the case of bioluminescence .

• particle bombardment: From the use of electron guns, as in a classic tube TV, to that emitted by ionizing radiation. In this case the energy travels directly transfer electrons to emit radiation back into position.

• movement of electric charges, which involves the movement of electrons. A flash or any type of arc would be good examples. But phenomena like mechanoluminescence where friction causes the formation of electrostatic charges and the emission of light to recombine these loads.

• Another source of light with sufficient photon energy, both visible radiation, high frequency, etc. A special case would be the lasers can be pumped with light until most of the electrons occupy high positions of power.

There are other methods to emit radiation outside the visible range. A radar or microwave oven using different techniques. Of these, none is as powerful as the annihilation of matter and antimatter . Enough energy to take us to the stars but that is for another story.



Category: Physics, Chemistry