Where Does Light Come From and How Is It Produced?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the mechanisms of light production, highlighting annihilation as one method. Light is defined as a quantum object and is produced through the acceleration of electrical charges, which can occur in various ways, including heating materials, as seen in incandescent light bulbs. A high-energy photon remains a quantum object indefinitely unless it interacts with other matter, although its wave function frequency will red-shift due to the universe's accelerated expansion. The conversation emphasizes the fundamental nature of light as electromagnetic waves generated by disturbances in the electromagnetic field.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of quantum mechanics and the concept of quantum objects
  • Familiarity with electromagnetic waves and their properties
  • Knowledge of light production mechanisms, including thermal radiation
  • Basic principles of particle physics, particularly annihilation
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  • Research the mechanisms of light production in detail, focusing on thermal radiation and electromagnetic wave generation
  • Explore the implications of redshift in relation to high-energy photons and cosmic expansion
  • Study the principles of quantum mechanics, particularly the behavior of quantum objects in various states
  • Investigate different types of light sources, including incandescent, fluorescent, and LED technologies
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Physicists, electrical engineers, educators, and anyone interested in the fundamental principles of light and its production mechanisms.

VaccumEnergy
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What are the different mechanisms for producing light or radiation. Annihilation comes to my mind. What are some other ways?
Also, what state of matter is light? Given that a high energy photon* flows for an infinite amount of time through 'empty' space will it stay as it is forever or would there be a possibility of it changing into something else?

*[Edit: missed word]
 
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VaccumEnergy said:
What are the different mechanisms for producing light or radiation. Annihilation comes to my mind. What are some other ways?
That's really the only way you can think of? How do you think light bulbs work?

Also, what state of matter is light?
light is a quantum object.

Given that a high energy photon* flows for an infinite amount of time through 'empty' space will it stay as it is forever or would there be a possibility of it changing into something else?
It will remain a quantum object if it doesn't hit anything but due to the accelerated expansion of space, its wave function frequency will continue to red-shift more and more forever.
 
phinds said:
That's really the only way you can think of? How do you think light bulbs work?

light is a quantum object.

It will remain a quantum object if it doesn't hit anything but due to the accelerated expansion of space, its wave function frequency will continue to red-shift more and more forever.

Fundamentally speaking, how does a light bulb work? And what other ways are there, could you provide a list please.

Define quantum object.
 
VaccumEnergy said:
What are the different mechanisms for producing light or radiation. Annihilation comes to my mind. What are some other ways?
Also, what state of matter is light? Given that a high energy photon flows for an infinite amount of time through 'empty' space will it stay as it is forever or would there be a possibility of it changing into something else?
Light is electromagnetic waves, and it is produced by accelerating electrical charges or otherwise changing the electromagnetic field at one point; ripples in the field spread out from the disturbance the way that ripples in water spread out from wherever the surface of the water is disturbed.
There are many many ways of accelerating charges; one of the more common methods is to heat something because that causes the atoms to move around faster and they're made up of charged particles. That's how fires and incandescent light bulbs produce light, and the reason why a hot piece of metal will glow.
 

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