Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: I.LIGHT -A VITAL ENERGY FOR LIFE Light is one of the most essential forms of energy that sustains life on Mother Earth.Plants and trees utilise light to produce food through the process of photosynthesis, which not only supports their own growth but also sustains all other living beings.Without light, vision-the most powerful sense of humans and many animals-would not be possible.The Sun and the Moon serve as the two primary natural sources of light.However, over time, humans have developed numerous artificial sources of light to illuminate their surroundings and extend productive hours beyond daylight.The mysteries of light have always fascinated humankind.Questions such as Why is the sky blue? or How do rainbows, polar lights, or bioluminescence occur?have inspired scientific curiosity for centuries.Eventually, science revealed that light is a form of electromagnetic radiation, characterised by its wavelength.The visible spectrum-commonly remembered by the acronym VIBGYOR (Violet, Indigo, Blue, Green, Yellow, Orange, Red)-represents the range of light perceptible to the human eye.Various theories have been proposed to explain the properties of light over time, including the Particle Theory, Wave Theory, Electromagnetic Theory, and Quantum Theory-each contributing to our evolving understanding of this remarkable phenomenon.A major milestone in the history of light was achieved by Thomas Alva Edison, who, after nearly 10,000 failed attempts, successfully invented the electric incandescent lamp.This invention revolutionised human life by replacing oil and gas lamps, marking one of the greatest innovations in history.However, the very source of comfort and progress has also become a growing concern.The uncontrolled and excessive use of artificial light has led to light pollution, disrupting natural ecosystems, affecting wildlife, and even impacting human health.Thus, while light continues to illuminate our world, it reminds us of the need for balance between technological progress and environmental harmony.
Author: Kumar Gautam
Language: English
Subfield: Global and Planetary Change
Field: Environmental Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4414926188
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