I was wondering if one would classify light as heat, or as light?

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Light is classified as electromagnetic radiation, specifically within the visible spectrum, while heat refers to the kinetic energy of matter. Heat is associated with thermal radiation, which varies in wavelength depending on temperature and is typically found in the infrared range at room temperature. The distinction between light and heat is clear, as they represent different physical phenomena. Therefore, light should be classified solely as light, not as heat. Understanding these differences is crucial in fields like physics and thermodynamics.
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I was wondering if one would classify light as heat, or as light?
 
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They're two different things. Light is electromagnetic radiation and we usually mean electromagnetic radiation in the visible spectrum when we say 'light'.

Heat is the kinetic energy of matter, which is in equilibrium with radiation, the wavelength of which depends on how hot it is. (i.e. 'thermal radiation' does not correspond to any particular part of the spectrum. It's in the infrared at room temperatures though)
 


romsofia said:
I was wondering if one would classify light as heat, or as light?

One can most definitely classify light as light.
 
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