Light – we live with it every day, and it keeps us alive on our beautiful planet. But what is it, and what are its deeper mysteries? These questions have baffled scientists for millennia, and lately they’ve actually found some of those answers. So let’s take a look at some of the most interesting facts we know today about light:
- The sunlight you see emitted from the sun today is much older than you think. How old would you say it is? Scientists have actually determined that figure to be as much as 100,000 years, as that’s how long it takes for photons generated at the Sun’s core to reach the surface.
- Did you know that fireflies are some of the most energy-efficient creatures on the planet? The light they produce is generated at nearly 100% efficiency by using special chemical processes.
- Scientists have actually proposed photon propulsion as a viable way to get around outer space. Since photons have mass and momentum, they could actually push against a so-called solar sail that can be used as part of a spaceship’s propulsion system.
- Light can bend around corners. It’s hard to spot, but all light bends slightly when it reaches a corner, spreading out through a process known as diffraction. The experienced Denver electricians know the importance of their jobs, supplying electricity to each and every home and business, so that we can enjoy that same light.