Electromagnetic waves and their significance
Light, commonly understood as a phenomenon that enables us to see, is in fact a form of electromagnetic radiation. This fascinating nature of light, combining both wave and corpuscular properties, provides the basis for understanding its universal impact on our lives and technology.
The discovery in the 19th century that light was composed of electromagnetic waves revolutionised our understanding of nature. These waves, travelling in a vacuum at around 300,000 km/s, are capable of propagating without the need for a material medium, which distinguishes them from other types of waves, such as sound.
Visible light and its spectrum
Visible light, which covers the wavelength range of 380 to 730 nanometres (nm), is only a small part of the broad spectrum of electromagnetic waves. It is in this range that the human eye is sensitive to light, perceiving different wavelengths as colours, from violet to red. The white light we perceive every day is in fact a mixture of all the colours of the spectrum.
Beyond the visible: ultraviolet and infrared
In addition to visible light, there are ranges of light that are invisible to the human eye, such as ultraviolet (UV) and infrared (IR) radiation. UV radiation, which is used in medical and industrial applications, can be harmful to health, requiring the use of protective filters in UV-emitting equipment. Infrared radiation, on the other hand, used in many electrical devices, plays a key role in remote control technology and telecommunications.
Summary
Light, understood as electromagnetic waves, is fundamental not only to our perception of reality, but also to many advanced technologies. Understanding it allows us to better exploit its potential in medicine, industry and also in everyday life. Through further research and development, we can discover new applications of light that transcend the limits of human vision, opening up new possibilities in science and technology.
