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Jarfi
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A long wavelength light has too little energy to knock out electrons, so how do scinetists detect them? and how does a light with low energy ever cease to exist since it can never be absorbed?
Jarfi said:A long wavelength light has too little energy to knock out electrons, so how do scinetists detect them? and how does a light with low energy ever cease to exist since it can never be absorbed?
DrDu said:Do you know how a radio works?
DrDu said:The wave accelerates the electrons in a metal due to their electric field, i.e. electric currents are induced. The electrons in a metal are not bound to any specific ions but can move freely. However the accelerated electrons can also scatter from the atomic cores and thus loose the energy they received from the electric field creating thermal motion of the atoms, i.e. heat. That's the reason for the resistance of metals.
In a radio, basically the currents induced are used to move the membrane of the loud speakers. This also diminishes the current as the energy of the currents is converted into sound waves.
Jarfi said:so the interstellar telescopes are basically just giant radio-antennas who turn the information into pictures.
Low energy light, also known as infrared or thermal radiation, is typically detected using specialized devices called thermal detectors. These detectors are designed to measure the temperature of an object by detecting the amount of infrared radiation it emits.
No, the human eye is not sensitive enough to detect low energy light. Our eyes are designed to detect visible light, which has a higher energy level compared to infrared light. However, some animals such as snakes and bats have specialized organs that allow them to detect infrared radiation.
A thermal detector works by converting infrared radiation into an electrical signal. This is typically achieved by using a material called a thermocouple, which produces a small electrical current when heated by infrared radiation. The strength of the electrical signal can then be measured to determine the intensity of the infrared light.
Low energy light detection has a wide range of applications in various industries. It is commonly used in medical imaging, such as infrared thermography for detecting changes in body temperature. It is also used in security systems, environmental monitoring, and even in the production of consumer goods like smartphones and cameras.
Yes, there is a limit to how weak low energy light can be detected. This limit is determined by the sensitivity of the thermal detector being used. While advancements in technology have made it possible to detect extremely weak infrared light, there is a point at which the signal becomes too small to be accurately measured.