Visible Light

Definition: What is Visible Light?

Light is a form of electromagnetic wave and constitutes a small part of the electromagnetic spectrum that is visible to the human eye. Hence, it is called visible light. Since visible light is a form of a wave, it is defined by its characteristic wavelength and frequency. The visible light spectrum is located within a wavelength range of 380 to 740 nanometers (nm) or a frequency range of 405 to 790 terahertz (THz).

Facts and Characteristics of Visible Light

Consists of seven colors – violet, indigo, blue, green, yellow, orange, and red. Collectively known as VIBGYOR.
Speed is constant, i.e., 3 X 10⁸ m/s in the air
Speed reduces to 2.25 X 10⁸ m/s in water and 2 X 10⁸ m/s in glass
It can be measured by the unit of the lumen, which is the total quantity of visible light emitted by a source per unit of time. Another unit is candela, which gives the wavelength-weighted power or luminous intensity.
Visible light usually is not dangerous or harmful. However, if the light is intense, then it can damage the receptor cells in the eye, causing temporary or permanent blindness.

Examples of Visible Light

Sunlight
The light emitted by some lasers
Incandescent light bulbs, torchlight, flashlight, headlamps, fluorescent and neon lights
The red, amber, and green traffic lights

Visible Light Spectrum

Visible light falls in between the ultraviolet and the infrared regions of the electromagnetic spectrum.

Wavelength and Frequency of Visible Light

Each color of the visible light spectrum has its distinct wavelength and frequency.

Color	Wavelength (nm)	Frequency (THz)
Violet	380 – 450	680 – 790
Indigo	450 – 485	620 – 680
Blue	485 – 500	600 – 620
Green	500 – 565	530 – 600
Yellow	565 – 590	510 – 530
Orange	590 – 625	480 – 510
Red	625 – 740	405 – 480

Uses and Applications of Visible Light

Visible light can be used in many ways. The main benefit of visible light is that it allows us to see objects, thereby leading to many applications. Some of them are mentioned below:

For performing scientific experiments by scientists, researchers, technicians, and students
Lasers emitting visible light are used in laser pointers, laser surgery, and cutting of metals
Light-emitting diodes (LED) display visible lights and are used in many electronic devices
Astronomers use visible light emitted by distant objects like planets and moons to study their properties and features
Also, sunlight, the primary source of visible light on the earth, has many benefits. These include a) Source of vitamin D, b) Kills bacteria, c) Builds the immune system, and d) Photosynthesis by plants.

FAQs

Q1. How much of the electromagnetic spectrum is visible light?

Ans. Visible light occupies a tiny portion of the electromagnetic spectrum – about 0.0035 percent.

Q2. What is the shortest wavelength within the visible spectrum?

Ans. The shortest wavelength with the visible spectrum is 380 nm. Violet has the shortest wavelength.

Q3. What is the longest wavelength within the visible spectrum?

Ans. The longest wavelength with the visible spectrum is 740 nm. Red has the longest wavelength.

Q4. Which color of visible light has the highest frequency?

Ans. Violet has the highest frequency.

Q5. What type of visible light spectrum does the sun produce?

Ans. The sun produces white light, which is visible to the human eye. White light is a combination of all seven colors of the visible light spectrum.

Q6. What type of energy is visible light?

Ans. The energy of visible light is electromagnetic.

Q7. What is the range of the lowest to the highest energy of the visible light spectrum?

Ans. The energy of the visible light spectrum ranges from 1.65 to 3.10 eV. The violet color has the highest energy.

Q8. Why can’t you use visible light to see molecules?

Ans. It is not possible to see molecules with visible light, because the wavelengths of visible light are very much longer than the usual molecular dimensions.

Article was last reviewed on Wednesday, March 9, 2022