Light: A Fundamental Force In Our World

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of particles such as neutrons and protons. A photon, or
quanta, is the "packet" of energy that is sent in a light wave. Like a
particle, the photon is believed to have a finite mass, and has the ability
to affect other matter. As light strikes a photovoltaic solar cell, it
knocks electrons in the silicon atoms on the surface into a higher state of
energy. When these return to their normal, or "ground" state, energy is
produced in the form of electricity. Thus, light is termed a "wave-
particle," and this property is called the "wave-particle duality of
nature." Many questions concerning what makes up light still lie unanswered,
but this much is thought to be true.

Light can be produced in a variety of ways. Our sun, like other stars,
uses nuclear fusion to produce energy in the form of light and radiation.
We can produce light artificially using several methods. If one starts a
fire, it produces light and heat. (Heat, which is infrared radiation, is
another type of light ...

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