What's the Difference Between Cold and Hot Transitions of Light?

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SUMMARY

The discussion clarifies the distinction between cold and hot transitions of light. Hot transitions occur when light absorption leads to changes in atomic vibrations and standing wave patterns, exemplified by sunburn from ultraviolet light or food heating in a microwave. In contrast, cold transitions involve light absorption that facilitates chemical processes without generating heat, such as photosynthesis in plants or the generation of neural impulses in the human eye.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of atomic vibrations and standing wave patterns
  • Knowledge of ultraviolet light effects on biological tissues
  • Familiarity with photosynthesis and its chemical processes
  • Basic principles of neural impulse generation in the human eye
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the mechanisms of photosynthesis in plants
  • Explore the effects of ultraviolet light on skin and its implications
  • Study the principles of atomic vibrations in quantum mechanics
  • Investigate the process of neural impulse generation in sensory systems
USEFUL FOR

Students of physics, biology researchers, and professionals in optics or photonics who seek to understand the interactions between light and matter.

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Can someone briefly explain the definition or the difference between a cold and hot transition of light?

Hot transition involves a change in an atoms vibration and standing wave patterns from absorption of higher frequency, such as skin sunburn from long exposures to ultraviolet light or physical change in food from microwave.

What are some examples and the process of cold transitions?
 
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When light is absorbed by a leaf or some other green life, the energy is used to make chemical bonds and not heat. Also when light is absorbed in the eye, it causes neural impulses.
 

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