GROUP 4 : VISIBLE LIGHT RADIATION

1. Define visible light radiation.

https://images.app.goo.gl/dRpNzPy3k5ueayY49

Visible radiation, more commonly known as visible light, is electromagnetic radiation that is detectible by
eyes and whose wavelength falls in the approximate range of 400 to 700 nanometers.
(https://www.answers.com/Q/What_is_visible_radiation?fbclid=IwAR1Ij7ssRLgS07YaVB-3-KWphJLNvw-
ah37TV7MFLI6Z9gWsSTOzGrpWeUk)
The first person to realize that white light was made up of the colors of the rainbow was Isaac Newton.
(https://www.livescience.com/50678-visible-light.html)

2. Describe where visible light is found on the EMS compared to the other six forms of radiation. In your
description, compare and contrast its wavelength, frequency, and energy with those of other regions of the
EMS.

https://images.app.goo.gl/oCeLTgQsnkasEQia8

Visible light falls in the range of the EM spectrum between infrared (IR) and ultraviolet (UV). It has
frequencies of about 4 × 1014 to 8 × 1014 cycles per second, or hertz (Hz) and wavelengths of about 740
nanometers (nm) or 2.9 × 10−5 inches, to 380 nm (1.5 × 10−5 inches).
(https://science.jrank.org/pages/2368/Electromagnetic-Spectrum.html)
3. Are there human health risks from exposure (or overexposure) to visible light?

Visible light is typically pretty harmless. However, some light can be so intense that it can damage the
receptor cells in your eye causing temporary or permanent blindness. High powered lasers can also be damaging
and will cause burns. (https://sites.google.com/site/mrjhelectromagneticspectrum/home/visible-light)
The Sun is a natural source for visible light waves and our eyes see the reflection of this sunlight off the
objects around us.
(https://www.univie.ac.at/geographie/fachdidaktik/FD/site/external_htmls/imagers.gsfc.nasa.gov/ems/visible.ht
ml)
The visible light radiation can exert various biologic effects such as erythema, pigmentation, and eye strain.
(https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02904798)

Erythema - Erythema multiforme is a rash that forms in reaction to an

infection.

(https://images.app.goo.gl/miw4pTUoiYXVB
W497)

Pigmentation - Hyperpigmentation is the patches of skin that become

darker than surrounding areas of skin.

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1QB8

Eye Strain - a common condition that

occurs when your eyes get tired from
intense use.

https://images.app.goo.gl/9GNeZb6CHNXQqB https://images.app.goo.gl/RwU1pZBqtb
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Extended exposure to HEV may increase the risk of macular degeneration disease
where an affected person loses their central vision. Unfortunately, this condition
slowly worsens and its damage is usually irreversible.

https://images.app.goo.gl/H
1DgrSxmFiLduEkR9
 People are exposed to Blue Light naturally through computers, televisions and cell
phones. Industrial uses include lasers and medical diagnostic equipment. A person
who needs protection from Blue Light should secure a lens known as a “blue
blocker.” Blue blockers usually have a base tint of yellow, but they come in darker
orange shades as well. Generally, they don’t reduce light, but rather, alter the
appearance of blue and green colors. Because Blue Light is so close in the spectrum
to UV, it is recommended to use blue blockers that offer UV protection as well

https://images.app.goo.gl/qHpm
U4hUmLoEcSNw9

(https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://www.ishn.com/articles/94815-dangers-of-overexposure-
to-ultraviolet-infrared-and-high-energy-visible-
light&ved=2ahUKEwjYqvHmi6PkAhVSPHAKHVhYCe0QFjAKegQIBBAB&usg=AOvVaw2DTMhhsMe33Yg1ZOkavGdL&cs
hid=1566910370126)

4. Describe how visible light is used with solar photovoltaic panels to produce electricity.

The light from the sun is made up of packets of energy called Photons. Each photon carries an amount of
energy corresponding to its wavelength of light.

When a visible light photon strikes a solar cell it can do

one of three things: pass straight through, be reflected, or be
absorbed. If the photon is absorbed, its energy is absorbed by
an electron in an atom of the solar cell enabling it to escape
from its normal position (photon excitation), cross the
junction and fill a hole. Since electrons are physically
moving across the PN junction, the positive charge carrying
holes are effectively moving in the opposite direction around
the load circuit (a rechargeable battery or light bulb etc).
This completes the circuit providing more holes for the electrons to combine with and providing usable
electricity. (http://www.reuk.co.uk/wordpress/solar/how-do-pv-solar-panels-
work/?fbclid=IwAR2oiOydGcAyR0jpHfZgUrSaPDmW18IVeB9OjXGrx1ql6CGILA_QqRMoaBE)
5. Discuss how lasers and fiber optics have improved telecommunications.

The laser used in fiber-optic telecommunication systems is the semi-conductor laser. Semiconductor lasers are
especially well-suited for use in this type of communication system. Semiconductor lasers have suitably small
size and configuration for coupling into the small-diameter core of an optical fiber. Modern lasers operate
continuously at milliwatt power levels sufficient for fiber-optic communications. They can be modulated easily,
through modulation of an electric power supply, at frequencies up to the gigahertz range. This makes it possible
to transmit information, by modulating a beam of light from a laser, through optical fibers. The semiconductor
laser, with its small emitting area, is a natural choice as a source for fiber communications. But for a number of
years, laser lifetime was too short and fiber losses too high to make laser-based fiber communications a success.

(https://pe2bz.philpem.me.uk/Lights/-%20Laser/Info-999-LaserCourse/C00-M08-Laser-FiberOptic-
CommunicationSystems/module8.htm)

Fibre optical communication enables telelcommunications networks to provide high bandwidth high speed
data connections across countries and the globe. (https://www.electronics-notes.com/articles/connectivity/fibre-
optics/optical-fibre-telecommunications-basics.php)