Types of light: Fluorescence, triboluminescence, etc.

The Sun’s light

ℵ The atoms in our sun are fusing together, and releases a huge amount of energy at all different
wavelengths. (without this, we would die)
ℵ Hydrogen atoms combine to produce helium - excited atoms release energy released in the
form of light (photons)
Incandescent light
ℵ the emission of visible light by a body, caused by its high temperature
o Incandescent light bulbs have tiny tungsten wires that get very hot when an electric
current passes through it (5% efficiency)
Light from Electric Discharge
ℵ The process of producing light by passing current through a gas
o Some streetlights are sodium vapour bulbs.
o An electric current passes through the bulbs, which contain a small amount of mercury
and sodium, with most of the air removed.
o The current excites the atoms, and a yellowish light, is emitted as the atoms release
their energy.
o Different gases could emit different colors.
Fluorescence
ℵ The immediate emission of visible light as a result of the absorption of ultraviolet light
ℵ Occurs when an object absorbs UV light and immediately releases energy as light
o A fluorescent light bulb is a discharge tube with an electrode at the end.
o The bulb contains mercury vapour and an inert gas such as argon.
o The inside of the bulb is coated with a powdery substance called phosphor.
o Electrons are emitted from an electrode and collide with mercury atoms, exciting them.
o The excited mercury atoms emit the energy in the form of UV light. (not visible)
o The UV light is absorbed by the phosphor which emits the energy as visible light.
o Fluorescent LBs are 4x (20% efficient) as good as incandescent ones.
Luminescence
ℵ Light generated without heating the object
Chemiluminescence
ℵ Light generated by the energy released in a chemical reaction (e.g glow in the dark sticks)
ℵ No heat produced
Phosphorescence
ℵ The process of producing light by the absorption of ultraviolet light resulting in the emission of
visible light over an extended period of time
ℵ Similar to fluorescence, but the materials glow long after they have absorbed UV light (e.g glow
in the dark material)
Bioluminescence
ℵ Light produced by living organisms as a result of a chemical reaction, like deep-sea (e.g fireflies)
Triboluminescence
ℵ The production of light from friction as a result of scratching, crushing, or rubbing certain
crystals
ℵ Certain crystals can release tiny amounts of light when crushed (e.g mint lifesavers)