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Energy: Radiation

By Janice VanCleave

Electromagnetic radiation (EMR) is a stream of photons each traveling at the speed of light. Photons are massless bundles of light energy. The higher the energy of photons the more they behave as particles and can be harmful. The symbol shown with what looks like three blades of a fan notifies you that the radiation […]

Filed Under: Energy, Physics Tagged With: EMR, photons, radiation

Fluorescence

By Janice VanCleave

Question: What causes some objects to glow under a black light? Black lights give off  Ultraviolet A light, which is a type of high-energy invisible light (radiation). Photons are packets of light energy. UV light photons have a higher energy than do the photons for visible light. Materials that glow under a black light contain […]

Filed Under: Physics Tagged With: EMR, fluorescence, luminescence, photoluminescence, photons, UV, visible light

Phosphors

By Janice VanCleave

Question: Why do scorpions glow under a black light? Answers: The scorpion has phosphors in its exoskeleton. A  phosphor is a term used to describe any substance that can absorbs UV radiation and release visible light. Both UV radiation (light) and visible light are forms of electromagnetic radiation-EMR. The UV light has much higher energy […]

Filed Under: Biology, Physics Tagged With: EMR, fluorescent, phposphors, UV radiation

Photon

By Janice VanCleave

Question: What is a Photon? Answer: Electromagnetic radiation is a form of energy that is released by an atom. This energy is made up of many small particle-like packets that have energy and momentum but no mass. These particles, called photons, are the most basic units of electromagnetic radiation. Electromagnetic radiation is often referred to […]

Filed Under: Physics Tagged With: EMR, photon

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The spoon hanging from the string vibrates when struck and these vibrations are transmitted through the string and the sound is amplified by the plastic cups. ABOUT ME: Hi, I am Janice VanCleave, author of 50 best-selling science experiment books for children ages 4 through high school. I taught science for 27 years. MORE.....

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