The spelling of "visible radiation" can be explained using IPA phonetic transcription. The word "visible" is pronounced as /ˈvɪzəb(ə)l/, with the stress on the first syllable. The "i" in "visible" is pronounced as a short "i" sound, while the "s" is pronounced as a voiceless "z" sound. The word "radiation", on the other hand, is pronounced as /ˌreɪdiˈeɪʃən/, with the stress on the second syllable. The "a" in "radiation" is pronounced with a long "a" sound, and the "io" is pronounced as a schwa sound.
Visible radiation, also known as light or visible light, refers to the electromagnetic spectrum that is visible to the human eye. It encompasses a specific range of wavelengths which evoke the sensation of sight in the average person. Visible radiation constitutes only a small portion of the entire electromagnetic spectrum, sandwiched between the shorter ultraviolet (UV) wavelengths and the longer infrared (IR) wavelengths.
The visible spectrum ranges from approximately 400 to 700 nanometers (nm) in wavelength. Different colors within this range are perceived by the human eye due to their varying wavelengths. Colors at the shorter end of the spectrum, around 400-450 nm, appear violet or blue, while those at the longer end, around 650-700 nm, appear red.
Visible radiation is essential for enabling the perception of the surrounding environment, allowing humans and many other organisms to navigate and interpret their surroundings. It plays a crucial role in everyday life, from illuminating the world through natural sunlight or artificial sources like lamps and bulbs, to enabling the perception of colors, shapes, and depth. The ability to see visible radiation is a fundamental aspect of human vision, granting us the ability to gather information from our surroundings and make sense of the visual world. Due to its importance and prevalence, visible radiation is extensively studied in various scientific fields such as physics, optics, and biology.
The word "visible" originates from the Latin word "visibilis", which in turn comes from the Latin verb "videre", meaning "to see". "Visible" refers to something that can be seen or perceived by the sense of sight.
The word "radiation" has its roots in the Latin word "radiare", which means "to emit rays". In scientific terms, radiation refers to the emission of energy as electromagnetic waves or as moving subatomic particles, such as photons or electrons.
Therefore, "visible radiation" refers to the portion of the electromagnetic spectrum that is visible to the human eye. It consists of electromagnetic waves with wavelengths ranging from approximately 380 to 700 nanometers, which correspond to the colors of light that humans can perceive.