We may earn an affiliate commission when you visit our partners.

Light

Save

Light is a form of electromagnetic radiation that is visible to the human eye. It is made up of photons, which are tiny particles of energy that travel in waves. The speed of light is 299,792 kilometers per second (186,282 miles per second), and it can travel through empty space as well as through matter.

What is Light Used For?

Light is used for many things, including:

  • Seeing: Light allows us to see the world around us. When light strikes an object, it bounces off and travels to our eyes. Our brains then interpret the light waves to create an image of the object.
  • Communication: Light can be used to communicate over long distances. For example, we use light to send messages through fiber optic cables and to communicate with satellites in space.
  • Energy: Light can be used to generate energy. For example, solar panels convert sunlight into electricity.
  • Heat: Light can be used to generate heat. For example, we use light to heat our homes and businesses.

How Can You Learn About Light?

There are many ways to learn about light. You can read books, watch videos, or take online courses. You can also experiment with light yourself. For example, you can try shining a light through different objects to see how it changes. You can also try making a rainbow with a prism.

Careers in Light

Read more

Light is a form of electromagnetic radiation that is visible to the human eye. It is made up of photons, which are tiny particles of energy that travel in waves. The speed of light is 299,792 kilometers per second (186,282 miles per second), and it can travel through empty space as well as through matter.

What is Light Used For?

Light is used for many things, including:

  • Seeing: Light allows us to see the world around us. When light strikes an object, it bounces off and travels to our eyes. Our brains then interpret the light waves to create an image of the object.
  • Communication: Light can be used to communicate over long distances. For example, we use light to send messages through fiber optic cables and to communicate with satellites in space.
  • Energy: Light can be used to generate energy. For example, solar panels convert sunlight into electricity.
  • Heat: Light can be used to generate heat. For example, we use light to heat our homes and businesses.

How Can You Learn About Light?

There are many ways to learn about light. You can read books, watch videos, or take online courses. You can also experiment with light yourself. For example, you can try shining a light through different objects to see how it changes. You can also try making a rainbow with a prism.

Careers in Light

There are many different careers that involve working with light. Some of these careers include:

  • Physicist: Physicists study the nature of light and other forms of energy.
  • Optical engineer: Optical engineers design and build devices that use light.
  • Laser engineer: Laser engineers design and build lasers, which are devices that emit concentrated beams of light.
  • Fiber optic technician: Fiber optic technicians install and maintain fiber optic cables.
  • Solar panel installer: Solar panel installers install and maintain solar panels.

Benefits of Learning About Light

There are many benefits to learning about light. Some of these benefits include:

  • Improved understanding of the world around you: Learning about light can help you to better understand the world around you. You will learn how light travels, how it interacts with different objects, and how it can be used to generate energy and heat.
  • Preparation for a career in science or engineering: If you are interested in a career in science or engineering, learning about light is a great way to prepare yourself. You will learn the basic principles of physics and optics, which will give you a strong foundation for further study.
  • Increased creativity: Learning about light can help you to become more creative. You will learn how to use light to create different effects, such as shadows, reflections, and rainbows.

Projects for Learning About Light

There are many different projects that you can do to learn about light. Some of these projects include:

  • Build a periscope: A periscope is a device that uses mirrors to allow you to see around corners or over obstacles.
  • Make a rainbow: You can make a rainbow by shining a light through a prism.
  • Build a solar oven: A solar oven is a device that uses sunlight to cook food.

Online Courses for Learning About Light

There are many different online courses that you can take to learn about light. These courses can teach you about the basic principles of physics and optics, as well as how to use light in different applications. Some of these courses include:

  • Exploring Light: Hands-on Activities and Strategies for Teachers
  • Global Warming I: The Science and Modeling of Climate Change
  • 普通物理學-電磁學、光學及近代物理 (General Physics (1))
  • 基礎光學一 (Introduction to Optics (1))
  • Tesoros de la Física y sus Descubridores I
  • Understanding Plants - Part I: What a Plant Knows
  • The Sun and the Total Eclipse of August 2017
  • Introducción a los ritmos y relojes biológicos
  • Principles of Hemp Cultivation
  • D'un infini à l'autre
  • Question Reality: Cosmos
  • Digital Photography for Beginners with DSLR cameras

These courses can help you to learn about light at your own pace and in your own time. They can also provide you with the opportunity to interact with other students and instructors.

Conclusion

Light is a fascinating and important part of our world. It is used for many things, including seeing, communication, energy, and heat. There are many different ways to learn about light, including reading books, watching videos, taking online courses, and experimenting with light yourself. Learning about light can benefit you in many ways, such as improving your understanding of the world around you, preparing you for a career in science or engineering, and increasing your creativity.

Path to Light

Take the first step.
We've curated nine courses to help you on your path to Light. Use these to develop your skills, build background knowledge, and put what you learn to practice.
Sorted from most relevant to least relevant:

Share

Help others find this page about Light: by sharing it with your friends and followers:

Reading list

We've selected nine books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Light.
This advanced textbook covers the fundamental principles and applications of photonics, with emphasis on optical fibers and devices. Written by two renowned experts in the field, it provides a comprehensive and up-to-date treatment of the subject.
This textbook provides a comprehensive overview of laser physics and technology, from basic principles to advanced topics like nonlinear optics and ultrafast lasers. Written by a leading expert in the field, it is an essential resource for students and researchers.
This textbook provides a comprehensive overview of nonlinear optics, a rapidly growing field that has led to the development of new technologies like lasers and optical fibers. Written by a leading expert in the field, it is an essential resource for students and researchers.
This textbook provides a comprehensive overview of quantum optics, a field that studies the interaction of light with matter at the quantum level. Written by two leading experts in the field, it is an essential resource for students and researchers.
This textbook provides a comprehensive overview of light-emitting diodes (LEDs), a rapidly growing field that has led to the development of new technologies like solid-state lighting and displays. Written by a leading expert in the field, it is an essential resource for students and researchers.
This journal publishes high-quality research papers on all aspects of optics and photonics. It is an essential resource for students and researchers in the field.
This journal publishes review articles on all aspects of optics and photonics. It is an essential resource for students and researchers in the field.
This journal publishes review articles on all aspects of physics, including optics and photonics. It is an essential resource for students and researchers in the field.
Our mission

OpenCourser helps millions of learners each year. People visit us to learn workspace skills, ace their exams, and nurture their curiosity.

Our extensive catalog contains over 50,000 courses and twice as many books. Browse by search, by topic, or even by career interests. We'll match you to the right resources quickly.

Find this site helpful? Tell a friend about us.

Affiliate disclosure

We're supported by our community of learners. When you purchase or subscribe to courses and programs or purchase books, we may earn a commission from our partners.

Your purchases help us maintain our catalog and keep our servers humming without ads.

Thank you for supporting OpenCourser.

© 2016 - 2024 OpenCourser