ARTIFICIAL AND

NATURAL LIGHTING
SOURCES
When we look at a leaf we know that it is green
because light bounces off the leaf to our eyes to
tell us that it is green. But what is light? Which
are the sources of light from which light is
originated?
Light is electromagnetic radiation. A particular
frequency of this radiation (around 390-700
nm) is visible to the human eye. Everything that
we see around us is because of light. Light is a
form of energy and like all energies, it is
produced from a source. In physics, these are
called Light sources.
 Types of light sources:
There are countless sources of light, but
they can all be categorized under either of
the two following categories-
1. Natural sources
2. Artificial sources
 Natural Light Sources

The universe is filled with objects that emit

light. Some light from these sources
reaches the earth. The following things in
nature have the ability to emit light:
The Sun
It is the major source of light for the earth. The
sun is a massive ball of fire, at the center of
which nuclear fusion produces massive energy.
This energy comes out as heat and light. The
light from the sun is one of the major factors
behind the sustainability of life on earth.
The Stars

Every other star produces light too, but

only a small or no amount of it reaches the
earth because of the huge distance.
The Moon

The moon provides light as well but it

cannot produce light on its own. The light
that we get from the moon is the light
reflected by it from the sun.
Bioluminescence

Some living organisms have the ability to

produce light too. It is called bioluminescence. It
is the effect of certain chemical reactions within
the organism. Fireflies, jellyfish, glow-worm,
certain deep-sea plants, and microorganisms
can be cited as examples.
Lightning and volcanic eruptions

Certain other natural phenomena such as

lightning and volcanic eruptions also emit light.
 Artificial Light Sources

Apart from natural sources, light can be

produced artificially too. The different light
sources produced artificially can be put under
three broad categories-
Incandescent Sources

When certain objects are heated to a high

temperature, they begin to emit light. Both
infrared and visible light is produced in the
process.
Example- Candle, incandescent lamp.
Luminescent Sources

Light can be produced by accelerating charges in

a luminescent material. One common way of
doing it is bypassing current through the
material.
Example- Fluorescent tube light, electric bulb
Gas Discharge Sources

Passing electricity through certain gases at very

low pressure can produce light too.
Example – Neon lamp, Sodium lamp.