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JeremyL
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If our eyes can perceive light and light is energy then why is energy defined as an indirectly observed quantity?
Drakkith said:Light is an electromagnetic wave with properties of both particles and waves. It carries energy with it. It is not matter.
Similarly, a water wave carries energy with it yet it is not energy itself.
JeremyL said:I was under the impression that everything in the physical universe could be deduced down to either matter or energy. If light is not matter and also not energy then I was under the wrong impression.
JeremyL said:I was under the impression that everything in the physical universe could be deduced down to either matter or energy. If light is not matter and also not energy then I was under the wrong impression.
Drakkith said:No, energy isn't a "thing". It is carried with objects but isn't something that exists on its own. Light is considered a Boson, which is not normal matter. But there are plenty of other particles that are the same way, such as gluons, the W and Z bosons, and more.
JeremyL said:Isn't a boson a subatomic particle? Aren't subatomic particles forms of matter?
JeremyL said:Isn't a boson a subatomic particle? Aren't subatomic particles forms of matter?
The relationship between light and energy is that light is a form of energy. Light is an electromagnetic radiation that carries energy, and it can be harnessed and converted into other forms of energy, such as electricity.
Light transfers energy through electromagnetic waves. These waves travel through space and can be absorbed by objects, causing them to vibrate and create heat. This heat energy can then be converted into other forms of energy, such as electrical energy.
Light plays a crucial role in photosynthesis, the process by which plants convert light energy into chemical energy. Plants use the energy from light to power the production of glucose, which is used as a source of energy for the plant's growth and survival.
Yes, light can be converted into other forms of energy through various processes. For example, solar panels use the energy from sunlight to generate electricity, and photosynthesis converts light energy into chemical energy. Light can also be converted into heat energy, as seen in incandescent light bulbs.
The color of light is determined by its wavelength, and the energy of light is directly proportional to its frequency. This means that shorter wavelengths, such as blue and violet light, have higher energy levels than longer wavelengths, such as red and orange light. The color of light can also affect how it is absorbed and reflected by objects, leading to different effects on energy transfer.