This conversation started yesterday because a fellow tech disagreed with me that microwaves were light waves, so it's interesting to see that there is also differing points of view on this site. It is an interesting subject and can get very scientific regarding lights wave/particle duality but surely this is a simple question with a right and a wrong answer. Even although Rog mentions most internet sites consider light to be be only the visible spectrum, this does not mean these sites are providing correct reliable scientific information. My definition of light is that it is a stream of photons moving as a wave travelling at 300 million metres per second which can have a range of wavelengths which is displayed in the electromagnetic spectrum.
But then you have to include radio-waves, X-rays, etc, would you say radio-transimission is "light"? I like how Rog Rocks put it:
Quote:
Some poeple generalise and say that X rays etc are another form of light, it is light with a different frequency however you don't hear many poeple saying that light is another form of Gamma Ray. This is more true of parts of the electromagnetic spectrum with a frequency very close to that of light, ie Infra red and Ultra violet, they are reffered to as forms of light far more than Gamma rays ie Ultra violet light.
I asked an academic and below was the reply. I agree with his last sentence.
This is a semantic question, not a scientific one. I use both definitions, depending on context. In more technical settings, def 2 is more common, but in every discourse, 1) is more common. You and your friends should have a beer, and debate other more important questions!
Here's a Friday thing.... A conversation I heard in the workshop a few years ago: Nurse: "Can you come and look at our scales they're weighing light." Technician: "Gosh, They're sensative." Confused nurse replaces telephone.
Robert
My spelling is not bad. I am typing this on a Medigenic keyboard and I blame that for all my typos.
