Light source

What does light source mean?

A light source is an object that emits light. There are different types of sources that emit light. These can be man-made, for example LED interior lights. This is an example of an artificial light source. But there are also natural light sources. These are not man-made, for example the sun. In both cases, light is produced by atoms that contain a lot of energy.

What does it consist of?

We need light in order to see. Without a light source, we see nothing. The light around us enters the eye, is converted into signals and sent to the brain to create an image. But what is it made up of? All matter around us is surface mounting from atoms. Atoms are the smallest particles of matter that exist. But atoms are made up of even smaller particles. In atoms, electrons represent all kinds of orbits in an electron cloud. We can interfere with the movement of these electrons in various ways, for example by heating the atom. The electrons then spin in different orbits round the nucleus. They become excited. But they 'want' to return to their old orbit. The moment it rebounds, it emits a flash of light. This is also known as a photon.

Direct and indirect light sources, what is the difference?

In addition to distinguishing between artificial and natural light sources, we also distinguish between direct and indirect light sources. When light from a source hits an object without the intervention of other substances, this is called direct light. A straight line can be drawn between the light source and the lightening object. Think, for example, of the sun and LED lighting. And an indirect light source is a light source that emits light through a reflective surface. The moon gives light, but it is light from the sun. Sunlight shines on the moon and the moon reflects that light back to earth. Many lamps have a mirror behind the light. This mirror reflects light going the wrong way. So a light also provides indirect light. This applies to our high-quality reflectors.