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Light: Visible & Invisible

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When we look at the world around us, we see a dazzling array of colors, shapes and textures. But what we see is only a tiny fraction of the electromagnetic spectrum , the range of wavelengths that includes visible light, as well as radio waves, microwaves, infrared, ultraviolet, X-rays and gamma rays. Most of the e lectromagnetic spectrum is invisible to our eyes , and some of it can even pass through solid objects . Invisible light is the w avelengths in the electromagnetic spectrum too short or too long to be detected by the human eye. Visible light is the part of the electromagnetic spectrum that our eyes can detect. It consists of wavelengths from about 380 nanometers (nm) to about 740 nm.  The  percentage of the electromagnetic spectrum that the human eye can see is about 0.0035 percent.  The colors that we perceive depend on the wavelength and intensity of the light. For example, red light has a longer wavelength and lower frequency than blue light, which has a shorter waveleng

Earth: Atmosphere

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What is atmosphere? We will explore the definition, composition, structure, and functions of the atmosphere, and why it is so important for our planet. The atmosphere is the layer of gases that surrounds the Earth and extends from the surface to the edge of space. It is composed of mainly nitrogen (78%) and oxygen (21%), with traces of other gases such as argon, carbon dioxide, water vapor, ozone, and methane. The atmosphere is not uniform, but varies in temperature, pressure, density, and chemical composition depending on the altitude and location. Atmosphere Vs Air Air is the mixture of gases that we breathe, mainly nitrogen and oxygen, with traces of other gases like argon, carbon dioxide, and water vapor. Air is a subset of the atmosphere, the part that we directly interact with and that greatly impact life. The atmosphere is a broader term that includes air and other layers of gases that have various functions and characteristics. Layers of Atmosphere: The atmosphere can be divide

Light: Properties

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The properties of light are the characteristics that define how light behaves and interacts with matter. Some of the important properties of light are : -  Reflection :  Reflection of light is the phenomenon where light bounces off a surface and changes direction.   -  Refraction :  Refraction of light is the phenomenon where light changes direction as it passes from one medium to another. This bending of light is caused by the change in speed of light as it moves from one medium to another 1. The amount of bending depends on the angle at which the light enters the new medium and the difference in the refractive indices of the two media -  Diffraction : Light  spreads  out when it encounters an obstacle or a slit that is comparable to its wavelength. Diffraction of light is a phenomenon where light waves bend around corners or obstacles and spread out, creating a pattern of bright and dark regions. When light waves encounter an obstacle, such as a slit or a small opening, they diffra

Natural Sources of Light

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Natural sources of light are objects or   phenomena in nature that emit light . Some examples of natural sources of light are: The Sun , which is the primary natural light source for Earth. It emits light and heat through nuclear fusion. Sunlight not only provides us with the necessary light to see but also plays a vital role in our overall well-being.  Stars , which are like our Sun, but  due to the vast distances  involved,  only a small fraction of their light reaches the Earth . Nonetheless, stars provide a beautiful nighttime display and have fascinated humans for centuries. The moon , which is another natural light  source that reflects sunlight.  It provides a  secondary source of light  during the night, although its intensity is much lower than that of the Sun. The moon’s phases result from the varying angle at which sunlight hits its surface. Bioluminescence , which is the ability of some natural organisms to produce light through a process called bioluminescence.  Fireflies,

Nature of Light

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We will explore the nature of light and how it can be described in different ways. Light As a  particle Light As a  wave Light As a  Particle & Wave Light As an  Electromagnetic Radiation  Light As a  Quantum Field Light As a Particle One way to think about light is as a  stream of tiny particles called photons . Photons are the smallest units of light, and they have no mass or charge.  Photons are emitted or absorbed by atoms when they change their energy levels. For example, when an electron jumps from a higher to a lower orbit around the nucleus of an atom, it releases a photon with a specific energy and wavelength. This is how atoms produce light. Light As a Wave: Yet other way to think about light is as a f orm of energy that travels in waves.  It consists of photons that  travel in a wave like pattern . It travels through space. Light has n o mass and is not really considered matter . Light travels in waves that  have different wavelengths and frequencies,  which determine it

Light

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Light allows us to see, and it is what that  gives beauty, power and prominence  to everything in the world. Yet,  no one knows exactly what light really is  and  how it come into being !!! Light is one of the most mysterious and intriguing phenomena in the universe. It is essential for life on Earth, but it also has some surprising and counterintuitive properties. The photons that travel across vast distances carry with them the secrets of the stars, the galaxies, and the cosmic history. The speed of light in a vacuum is a constant, approximately  300,000 kilometers per second , and it is  the fastest speed possible  in the universe. Light reveal to us the beauty and the mystery of creation and challenge us to explore and understand the nature of reality. Light is not only a source of illumination, but also a messenger of information and a catalyst of discovery. How Light is Created? How light come into existence is a question that has fascinated scientists and philosophers for centur

Rain

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Rain is a mesmerizing phenomenon that affects our environmen t and our lives in many ways. Rain is one of the most common and important forms of precipitation on Earth. It provides fresh water for plants, animals, and humans , and it shapes the landscape by eroding rocks and soil . But how does rain form, and what factors influence its occurrence and distribution? Rain is essentially liquid water that falls from the sky . It originates from the evaporation of water from oceans, lakes, rivers, and other sources, which forms water vapor in the atmosphere. Water vapor is a gas that is invisible to the human eye , but it can be detected by instruments such as satellites and weather balloons. Water vapor rises in the atmosphere because it is less dense than air . As it rises, it cools down and condenses into tiny droplets of water or ice crystals , depending on the temperature and pressure. This process of condensation requires the presence of tiny particles in the air, such as dust, sm