Let’s get to know light!
Our ability to see things around is only possible due to light. Had there been no light, we would have never known what is the color red, what does a potato look like or how beautiful someone’s eyes are. Thankfully, light does exist and we can actually see things.
The very first and the largest source of light, as well as the most important one, is the Sun. It has been there before life started on earth. It is responsible for so many things, from photosynthesis in plants to various phenomena taking place in the atmosphere. This sunlight has a huge impact on our lives, as well. Due to scientific breakthroughs, we are even producing electricity using sunlight, commonly known as solar energy. Moreover, to stay healthy we need regular exposure to sunlight, as it makes our body produce vitamin D which is crucial in our overall health. Sunlight governs our habits too. Our bodies have a natural clock which controls our sleep cycle. This natural clock is affected by the sun so that we may be able to sleep during the night and work during the day, especially during the early part. On the other hand, moonlight has helped us during the night. Although it’s not as bright as the sun, it surely has an important role.
Since the invention of the electric bulb, things have changed drastically. This meant that we could even have light in places where sunlight would not reach, or we could have light at night when the sun is not there and moonlight is not enough. As light bulbs became common, our lives were simply revolutionized and our dependency on sunlight decreased a lot.
What type of light bulbs should you use?
We started with tungsten filament bulbs and today we have many advanced technologies which save energy as well as perform better too. Two of the most commonly used types of lights today are LED lights and the Halogen lights. LED lights use a diode which produces light when an electric current passes through while halogen lights use tungsten filament in a transparent envelope which is filled with a small amount of some halogen. Lights are very important in surgical use and Halogen vs LED Lights is often discussed.
Both types have their pros and cons. Some important differences are mentioned below:
Pros of LED over Halogen lights
- Emit bright white light
- Emit very little heat
- Long life
- Energy efficient
Pros of Halogen over LED lights
- Inexpensive
- Easy to discard after use
- Produce warm light close to natural light.
- Popular in large-scale use like floodlights in stadiums.
Lights are all around us!
Due to the technological developments, lights are used everywhere today. In homes, they are mostly mounted on the walls or the ceiling and lighten up the whole room. They are also used in halls and staircases. Another important home use is outside the house, which may be due to some security purposes, or for recreational use at night.
Lights are also used abundantly in offices and schools. A sufficient amount of light is important for reading and it can help us focus on our task. Office and school management give special attention to the lighting conditions.
Apart from all the uses mentioned above which are dictated by necessity, light is also used as a form of art and decoration. It is used in restaurants to give the customers a nice ambiance. It is used to decorate building and it is an important component of building design and architecture. The recreational use is also there with light being used in fountain shows and concerts for entertainment. You can even use lights to decorate your home yourself. Combine it with textured concrete walls and your home will have a stunning and unique look altogether.
The future of light bulbs
Trends change with time and so is the case with lights. As better technology develops, our of light also changes. Energy also plays an important role. A lot of focus is put on saving energy, which has led to the development of LED lights; they are abundantly used nowadays. As things are going, it might be possible that use of traditional bulbs may end altogether and that they get replaced by LED bulbs or an even better technology.