Optics

Types of Materials that transmit light

Luminous

Objects that emit their own light (The Sun)

Non-Luminous

Objects that do not emit their own light but are visible by reflecting light from luminous sources (The Moon)

Natural

Light sources that occur in nature without human intervention (Lightning)

Artificial

Man-made light courses (Lightbulb)

Incandescene

Light produced by heating a material until it emits visible light (Torch)

Electric Discharge

Light generated when an electric current passed through gas. The current excites molecules causing them to emit light (Lightning)

Phosphorescene

Light emitted by a substance after it absorbs energy, continuing to glow after the energy source is removed (Glow-in-the-dark stars)

Fluorescene

Light emitted by a substance that has absorbed light or other electromagnetic radiation stopping after light source is removed (Highlighter Ink)

Chemiluminescence

Light produced by a chemical reaction with a rise in temperature (Glowsticks)

Bioluminescence

Light emitted by living of organisms as a result of bio-chemical reactions (Fireflies)

Triboluminescence

Light generated when certain materials are scratched, crushed, or rubbed (Scotch tape)

Light Emitting Diode (LED)

A semi-conductor device that emits light when current flows through it (LED Lights)

LASER

A device that emits coherent light through optical amplification (Barcode scanners)