Light Rays: Photons, Electrons & Gratings

In summary, light rays from the sun and artificial lights are made up of photons that travel in the form of waves. During a sunstorm, electrons colliding with atomic oxygen and nitrogen can form Auroras in the ionosphere, but they cannot be specifically referred to as "beta rays." When white light is diffracted, its component colors have different photon energies depending on their frequencies.
  • #1
EIRE2003
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1. The light rays from the sun and artificial lights, are all light rays made up of 'photons' which travel in the form of waves?

2. During a sunstorm, when the Auroras form in the ionosphere by electrons colliding with atomic o2 and atomic nitrogen, can these electrons be thought of as 'Beta Rays'?

3. When a beam of white light is diffracted in a grating and dispersed into its component colours, do all these photons of light have the same energies yea?
 
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  • #2
1. The light rays from the sun and artificial lights, are all light rays made up of 'photons' which travel in the form of waves?
Yes

2. During a sunstorm, when the Auroras form in the ionosphere by electrons colliding with atomic o2 and atomic nitrogen, can these electrons be thought of as 'Beta Rays'?
The term "beta rays" is usually reserved for electrons that are emitted during radioactive decay. However all electrons are the same.

3. When a beam of white light is diffracted in a grating and dispersed into its component colours, do all these photons of light have the same energies yea?
Photon energies are directly proportional to frequency (inverse of wavelength). Therefore energy depends on color.
 

1. What is the difference between light rays and photons?

Light rays refer to the path that light travels in a straight line, while photons are the smallest unit of light that carry energy. Light rays can be thought of as the "visible" form of photons, as photons are not directly observable.

2. How do photons interact with matter?

Photons can interact with matter in three ways: reflection, absorption, and transmission. Reflection occurs when photons bounce off a surface, absorption occurs when photons are absorbed by the material, and transmission occurs when photons pass through the material.

3. What role do electrons play in the formation of light rays?

Electrons are responsible for the emission of light rays. When an electron in an atom or molecule is excited, it can jump to a higher energy level and then release that energy in the form of a photon, which creates a light ray.

4. What is a diffraction grating and how does it affect light rays?

A diffraction grating is a surface with closely spaced parallel grooves or slits that can separate light into its component wavelengths. Light rays passing through a diffraction grating will be diffracted, or bent, in different directions depending on their wavelength.

5. Can light rays be polarized?

Yes, light rays can be polarized, which means that the light waves vibrate in a specific direction. This can occur naturally or artificially through the use of polarizing filters. Polarized light is used in various applications, such as 3D glasses and sunglasses.

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