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The word "light" denotes EM radiation in the visible spectrum or in the near IR/UV only, not generic EM radiation.
by occamrazor 9y ago
The word "light" denotes EM radiation in the visible spectrum or in the near IR/UV only, not generic EM radiation.
- TeMPOraL 9y agoTo normal folks, maybe, but in technical language it can refer to the entire EM spectrum (as there's no meaningful difference between "visible" and "invisible" EM radiation for anything other than human eyes). EDIT: I looked up the spectrum PV cells tend to respond to and some sources on the usual meaning of the word "light", and I admit my original comment was me being pedantic about the more obscure usage of the word. Sorry :(.
- ClassyJacket 9y ago...which makes it pretty meaningful to humans. Also consider what of the sun's radiation makes it to the surface of the Earth.
- TeMPOraL 9y agoFair enough.
- swift 9y agoFWIW, this isn't universal usage. When I took physics in college we used "visible light" to refer to the visible spectrum, and "light" to refer to EM radiation generally. I know that others have had an experience similar to yours, though; this seems to depend a great deal on the preferences of the people who taught you.