Properties of Light and its Relationship to Strength

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the properties of light, specifically focusing on which color of visible light could be considered the "strongest" in terms of energy and intensity. Participants explore the implications of Planck's Law and the relationship between energy and intensity, while also addressing the theoretical context of lightsabers.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant proposes that violet light has the highest energy due to its higher frequency, according to Planck's Law (E=hv).
  • Another participant questions the relevance of the lightsaber context, suggesting that the inquiry could be framed more generally about visible light.
  • A participant expresses uncertainty about the relationship between energy and intensity, noting that intensity appears to peak around 500 nm in the visible spectrum, despite violet light having the highest frequency.
  • There is a request for clarification on how energy and intensity relate to the concept of "strength" in light.
  • Some participants attempt to rephrase the original questions for clarity, focusing on the strength of visible light and the positions of white and black light in this context.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the definitions of strength, energy, and intensity in relation to visible light. Multiple views on how to frame the question and the relevance of lightsabers remain present.

Contextual Notes

The discussion includes limitations in defining "strength" and the relationship between energy and intensity, which are not fully resolved. There is also ambiguity regarding the application of intensity in the context of the original questions.

nds34
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I am curious to know using scientific information what color lightsaber is the strongest? I have done some minor research and cannot figure it out on my own. I have come up with that violet produces the highest frequency while red produces the lowest frequency. Using Planck's Law E=hv I gather that violet would have the most energy. I have also come in conflict with intensity that seems to show around 500 nm is the highest (I will provide a link to where I found this information).

So what I would liked answered...
a) What form of visible light would make the strongest lightsaber? Violet? Red? Yellow-Green? Other?
b) What about white and black? (Yes I know black is the absence of color)
c) Would another type of light be stronger for a lightsaber than visible light (i.e. gamma, radio)?

Please provide an explanation with your answers.

Link: http://fuse.pha.jhu.edu/~wpb/spectroscopy/basics.html
 
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You do realize that 'lightsabers' aren't real, right?
 
Yes this is a theoretical question. You could take out the aspect of lightsabers and still answer the question.
 
nds34 said:
Yes this is a theoretical question. You could take out the aspect of lightsabers and still answer the question.

I don't think so - here are your questions:

nds34 said:
So what I would liked answered...
a) What form of visible light would make the strongest lightsaber? Violet? Red? Yellow-Green? Other?
b) What about white and black? (Yes I know black is the absence of color)
c) Would another type of light be stronger for a lightsaber than visible light (i.e. gamma, radio)?

All three of these are about lightsabers. If you have a question about light, can you state it clearly?
 
Let me rephrase my above question so that I can be taken seriously.
What visible color of light is the strongest? I am aware that strength is a vague characteristic when it comes to light so I most likely mean in terms of energy and intensity. In regards to energy as I previously stated, using Planck's Law E=hv I gather that violet would have the highest energy.
Now I am unfamiliar with intensity or if it even applies to my question and if there is a relationship of intensity to energy but I came across this statement: To find the intensity, take the energy density (that is, the energy per unit volume) and multiply it by the velocity at which the energy is moving. I take it that there is a relationship to energy here since it is mentioned but don't knwo how it applies or if it can even be determined. Anyways I saw that at around 500 nm in the visible light spectrum that the intensity is the highest. I do not know how this can be with violet having the highest frequency. Please compare the relationship between energy and intensity. Does one outweight the other when it comes to strength?
I am trying to be as clear as possible and this is a serious question. If there is something I am unclear about please let me know what that is so I can explain better. Part C can be taken out of the question.
 
Yes I'll rephrase:
a) What form of visible light is the strongest?
b) What about white and black? Where do they lie in terms of strength? (Yes I know black is the absence of color)
 
My question was answered elsewhere. Thanks anyway.
 
nds34 said:
Let me rephrase my above question so that I can be taken seriously.

nds34 said:
My question was answered elsewhere. Thanks anyway.

Glad we could help! :biggrin:
 

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