Light source

What does light source mean?

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?

As well as distinguishing between artificial and natural light sources, we also distinguish between direct and indirect light sources. When light from a source strikes an object without the intervention of other materials, this is called direct light. A straight line can be drawn between the light source and the illuminated object. Think, for example, of the sun and LED lighting. An indirect light source, on the other hand, is one that emits light via a reflective surface. The moon gives off light, but it is light from the sun. Sunlight shines on the moon and the moon reflects that light back towards the Earth. Many lamps have a mirror behind the bulb. This mirror reflects light that is heading in the wrong direction. A lamp therefore also provides indirect light. This applies to our high-quality reflectors.