4 ms·
The visible photons have enough energy above the room temperature noise, that each one can be detected and amplified. Even when that energy is minuscule, it is
by rini17 4y ago
The visible photons have enough energy above the room temperature noise, that each one can be detected and amplified. Even when that energy is minuscule, it is sufficient to affect a molecule of pigment enough to cause cascade of amplifying reactions leading to detection.
- gus_massa 4y agoI think we almost agree, but I want to clarify that visible photons and room temperature photons have a very different energy and frequency, and the molecules that detect them in the eye are very sensitive to frequency. So you see the "visible" photons that have a frequency in the correct range, but don't see the other photons. I guess you can see a few visible photons even if the background has a lot of ultraviolet photons that have more energy and frequency. (It may hurt your eyes. Don't try it at home.)