Describing lasers, their use, and link to science

[Physics345]

Homework Statement

Choose a technology such as MP3 players, lasers, medical imaging, or another that interests you. Research the internet and find out how it is related to the physics of light and waves. In approximately 100 to 150 words, write a paragraph explaining the link between our understanding of the laws of physics and your chosen technology. Evaluate how this technology has affected our daily lives. Be sure to briefly describe the technology, its use, and its link to science.

Homework Equations

none

The Attempt at a Solution

A laser is a different type of light that is different from a normal such as a flash light; it produces a very narrow beam of light. Laser stands for light amplification by simulated emission of radiation. Lasers have very similar wavelengths; they all travel in phase regardless of colours. Lasers have many uses such as being used in precision tools, cutting diamonds or thick metals. Lasers are a breakthrough in physics without them we wouldn’t be able to carry signals in a TV or internet. The wavelengths they create allow us to send signals from one technology to another in the form of wavelengths. Since they are in phase it causes constructive interference when the wavelengths of lasers interact with one another the waves they emit to connect with one another, carrying internet, TV and other signals leading the signals to communicate with each other.

https://spaceplace.nasa.gov/laser/en/

 

[BvU]

Is there a question ? Usually grading is left to teacher...
Or do you want some comments ? If so, about which part in particular ?

 

[Physics345]

Is there a question ? Usually grading is left to teacher...
Or do you want some comments ? If so, about which part in particular ?

Oh, I just want some comments to see what you guys think, because of my lack of knowledge on the subject I tend to use bad wording which potentially ruins what I'm trying to get across. I'm basically looking for possible areas of improvement and/or mistakes, through the opinion of a more knowledgeable audience.

 

[BvU]

1. Homework Statement
Choose a technology such as MP3 players, lasers, medical imaging, or another that interests you. Research the internet and find out how it is related to the physics of light and waves. In approximately 100 to 150 words,

write a paragraph explaining the link between our understanding of the laws of physics and your chosen technology.

Evaluate how this technology has affected our daily lives.

Be sure to briefly describe the technology, its use, and its link to science.

I grant you that that is asking rather a lot for such a short paper. Do you find these things back in your text ?

My comments in blue:

A laser is a different type of light that is different from a normal such as a flash light; it produces a very narrow beam of light.

The laser is the device, not the light

Lasers have very similar wavelengths; they all travel in phase regardless of colours.

the original is a(slightly) better:

'Lasers produce a narrow beam of light in which all of the light waves have very similar wavelengths. The laser’s light waves travel together with their peaks all lined up, or in phase.'​

my point is that different colours can never be in phase (see the NASA picture just above the quote)

Lasers are a breakthrough in physics without them we wouldn’t be able to carry signals in a TV or internet.

simply not true.

The wavelengths they create allow us to send signals from one technology to another in the form of wavelengths. Since they are in phase it causes constructive interference when the wavelengths of lasers interact with one another the waves they emit to connect with one another, carrying internet, TV and other signals leading the signals to communicate with each other.

did you make this up ?

https://spaceplace.nasa.gov/laser/en/

decent of you to mention your source. If I were you I'd research a few more sites and in your paper use only the parts you really understand. Nevertheless: hats off for your work and the courage to solicit comments!

 

[Physics345]

I grant you that that is asking rather a lot for such a short paper. Do you find these things back in your text ?

My comments in blue:
The laser is the device, not the light

the original is a(slightly) better:

'Lasers produce a narrow beam of light in which all of the light waves have very similar wavelengths. The laser’s light waves travel together with their peaks all lined up, or in phase.'​

my point is that different colours can never be in phase (see the NASA picture just above the quote)

simply not true.
did you make this up ?

decent of you to mention your source. If I were you I'd research a few more sites and in your paper use only the parts you really understand. Nevertheless: hats off for your work and the courage to solicit comments!

I honestly thought the same thing, It's literally asking me to explain something that should not be explained in 150 words, making it extremely hard to explain in such a short paragraph, without excluding a lot of important details I noticed during my research. I am going to mention this to my teacher.
Regarding your comments:

"the laser is the device, not the light"
sorry that is the bad wording I'm trying to work on currently.

"did you make this up ?"
I am currently working on a radio transmitting presentation right now, after reading that again, I now realize I was confusing radio waves with light waves. To answer your question, technically yes I did.

"decent of you to mention your source. If I were you I'd research a few more sites and in your paper use only the parts you really understand. Nevertheless: hats off for your work and the courage to solicit comments!"

Thank you for the complement, I'm here to learn from the people on this website, considering you all have much more knowledge on the subject. Hopefully one day, I will be able to say that I have a good understanding of physics, but at this point in time I am just trying to grasp the basics, which I believe will lead to the betterment of myself and the expansion of my train of thought and understanding in the near future. I am going to do more research and adjust my paragraph according to your comments, I will be back shortly with a reply and an update for a few other threads as well.

 

[Physics345]

Here is my updated answer:

A laser is a device that emits a different type of light that is different from the light emitted from a normal light such as a flash light; it produces a very narrow beam of light. Laser stands for light amplification by simulated emission of radiation. The wavelength of the light produced by a laser does not occur in nature, the wavelength it produces is in phase. Lasers have many uses such as being used in precision tools, cutting diamonds or thick metals. Lasers are used in a technology called photonics, which is using photons of light to communicate, for example transmitting data back and forth through the internet. Without lasers we would not be able to, transmit data through the internet, at such high speeds. Also the military makes good use of lasers as well to guide missiles in a trajectory to ensure it reaches its target, which would not be possible without the use of lasers since they can measure distances with extreme precision.

 

[Physics345]

Did you end up taking a look at my new answer?