Light Sources

Light is an electromagnetic radiation. A particular frequency of this radiation ( around 390-700 nm) is
visible to the human eye. Everything that we see around us is because of light. Light is a form of energy
and like all energies, it is produced from a source. In physics, these are called Light sources.

Types of light sources:

There are countless sources of light but they can all be categorized under either of the two following
categories-

Natural sources

Artificial sources

Natural Light Sources:

The universe is filled with objects that emit light. Some of the light from these sources reach the earth.
The following things in nature have the ability to emit light:

The Sun is the major source of light for the earth. The sun is a massive ball of fire, at the centre of which
nuclear fusion produces massive energy. This energy comes out as heat and light. The light from the sun
is one of the major factors behind the sustainability of life on earth.

Every other star produces light too, but only a small or no amount of it reaches the earth because of the
huge distance.

The moon provides light as well but it cannot produce light on its own. The light that we get from the
moon is the light reflected by it from the sun.

Some living organisms have the ability to produce light too. It is called bioluminescence. It is the effect of
certain chemical reactions within the organism. Fireflies, jellyfish, glow worm, certain deep sea plants
and microorganisms can be cited as examples.

Natural light sources

Artificial Light Sources:

Apart from the natural sources, light can be produced artificially too. The different light sources
produced artificially can be put under three broad categories-

Incandescent Sources:

When certain objects are heated to a high temperature, they begin to emit light. Both infrared and
visible light is produced in the process.

Example- Candle, incandescent lamp.

Artificial Light Sources

Luminescent Sources:

Light can be produced by accelerating charges in a luminescent material. One common way of doing it is
by passing current through the material.

Example- Fluorescent tube light, electric bulb

Gas Discharge Sources:

Passing electricity through certain gases at a very low pressure can produce light too.

Example – Neon lamp, Sodium lamp.

Stay tuned with BYJU’S to learn more about light sources, electromagnetic radiation and much more.
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Rectilinear Propagation And Reflection Of Light

Rectilinear Propagation of Light

How does light travel? If you stand up on a mountain you can see around you for miles and miles, how
are you able to do that? This article will answer your questions on the propagation of light, more
specifically the rectilinear propagation of light. Have you seen a light house by the beach? The lights on a
light house rotate around the light house so that it is visible from all sides. Why can’t we see a light
house if the light isn’t rotating?

You will understand the propagation of light with a simple experiment. Place a candle on a table and
light it. Place three cardboard sheets blocking your view of the candle. In these cardboard sheets make
three pinholes at equal heights such that the flame of the candle is visible through the cardboard sheets.
Now view the flame through the holes, you’ll find it visible. Now move one of the cardboard sheets and
try to see the flame. Can you? On moving the cardboard sheet, you will see that the flame is no longer
visible. Now bring the sheets back in line. The flame is visible again.

Rectilinear Propagation

The light is visible only when all the three pinholes are aligned proving the rectilinear propagation of
light

From this experiment, we can deduce that light moves from place to place through rectilinear
propagation. Rectilinear is a fancy word for straight. Light travels from the source in a straight line. Let’s
examine another characteristic of light; The Reflection of Light.

Reflection of Light
Have you ever seen your reflection in a still surface of a lake? Surely, you must have seen a mirror. Why
can we see our reflection on some surfaces and not others? Reflection of light is referred to the change
in the direction of light upon striking a surface. This change in direction occurs whenever light hits a
surface, irrespective of the texture or the nature of the surface.

Rectilinear Propagation

Reflection of light from a surface

So what is the difference between a mirror and a wall? In lay man’s terms, reflection is dependent on
the smoothness of the reflecting surface. For you to see your reflection, the reflection of light has to
occur uniformly. For example, if you throw a ball at a rough surface it will bounce in a random direction.
Similarly, the reflection of light on a rough surface is also random which does not lead to the formation
of a clear reflection. This is though you can see your face in a steel plate, it is not as clear as a mirror.

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