Light Spectrum: A Complete Overview

What is a Light Spectrum?

What is a light spectrum? is a commonly asked question when students start to learn about light. The light spectrum means the complete range of light waves that travel through space. Some of these waves we can see easily with our eyes, while many others cannot be seen but still exist all around us.

Apart from the light that we can see, there are different light spectrums, such as ultraviolet, infrared, X-rays, and microwaves. Even though we cannot see them, they are used in many ways in our daily lives, like in medical scans, TV remotes, and ovens. To know more about the visible light spectrum, keep reading.

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What is Visible Light Spectrum?

Visible light spectrum is the part of the light spectrum that can be seen by the human eye. It lies between the infrared and ultraviolet parts of the electromagnetic spectrum. When sunlight passes through a prism, it splits into seven colours: violet, indigo, blue, green, yellow, orange, and red. These colours together make the visible light spectrum. 

All these colours together make white light. That’s why when all the light waves from the visible spectrum mix, we see sunlight as white. Let’s now learn about the 7 colours of the visible spectrum in order.

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7 Colours of the Visible Light Spectrum in Order

The 7 colours of the visible light spectrum in order, are Violet, Indigo, Blue, Green, Yellow, Orange, and Red. These colours are often remembered by the short form VIBGYOR. Each colour has a different wavelength, and together they make up the light that our eyes can see.

Range of Light Spectrum

The range of light spectrum tells us about how wide the spread of light waves is. The visible light spectrum is the part that can be seen by the human eye.

• It ranges between wavelengths of around 380 nanometres and 750 nanometres. This range is made up of seven main colours: violet, indigo, blue, green, yellow, orange, and red.

• Among these, violet has the shortest wavelength (about 380 nm) and the highest frequency.

• Red has the longest wavelength (about 700 nm) and the lowest frequency.

• The Sun is the biggest natural source of light in this range.

• The visible light spectrum ranges between the ultraviolet (UV) and infrared (IR) regions of the electromagnetic spectrum.

To know what is outside this range, let’s learn about the different light spectrums next.

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What Are Different Light Spectrums?

The light spectrum is a part of a big family called the electromagnetic spectrum. This spectrum covers many types of light waves, some that we can see and many that we cannot see with our eyes. Let's learn about the different light spectrums one by one:

• Radio Waves: They have the longest wavelength and the lowest frequency. They are used for radios, TVs, and mobile phones.

• Microwaves: These have shorter wavelengths than radio waves. They are used in microwave ovens and for sending signals.

• Infrared (IR): These waves are shorter than visible light and are felt as heat. For example, you feel infrared light when you stand near a heater.

• Visible Light: Visible lights are lights that we can see. It includes all the colours of the rainbow: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet.

• Ultraviolet (UV): These waves have shorter wavelengths than visible light. Too much UV light from the sun can cause sunburn.

• X-rays: These waves have very high energy and are used by doctors to see bones inside our body.

• Gamma Rays: They have the shortest wavelength and the highest energy. They are mostly produced by stars and radioactive materials.

Each of these different light spectrums has its own special use and helps us in different ways in our daily lives.

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What Effect Does Light Have on Plants?

Light plays a very important role in the life of plants. Without light, plants cannot make their own food or grow properly. Let’s understand what effect does light have on plants:

1. Light Help With Photosynthesis

Plants use light to make food through a process called photosynthesis. In this process, plants take carbon dioxide from the air and water from the soil. With the help of light, they make glucose (sugar) and oxygen.

• A green pigment called chlorophyll helps in this process. It absorbs red and blue light from the visible light spectrum and reflects green light, which is why most plants appear green.

2. Light Helps Plants Grow in the Right Direction

You must have seen how a plant bends towards sunlight. This happens because plants always try to grow towards light. A special plant hormone called auxin helps in this process.

• It makes the cells on the darker side of the plant grow faster than the side facing the light. Because of this, the stem slowly bends towards the sunlight.

3. Light Controls When Plants Bloom

The length of day and night also affects when plants flower. This is called photoperiodism.

• Short-day plants bloom when the days are short.

• Long-day plants bloom when the days are long.

• Day-neutral plants bloom anytime, no matter the length of day or night.

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