Light waves

Light sources are objects that produce and emit light energy. These fall into two main categories: natural and artificial sources. Natural sources include the sun, stars, fire, and lightning, which generate light through chemical or nuclear reactions. The sun is our most important natural light source, making life on Earth possible. Artificial sources are man-made and include electric bulbs, fluorescent tubes, candles, and LEDs that we use daily in Nigerian homes and streets.

Some sources produce light through heat (incandescent), while others produce light without much heat (fluorescent or LEDs). For example, a kerosene lamp, common in rural Nigerian communities, produces light through burning fuel, which generates heat and light energy simultaneously.

Understanding different light sources helps explain how we see objects and why certain lighting is more efficient than others.