An artificial light source is any source of light created by humans, as opposed to natural light sources like the sun or stars. Artificial light sources are generated by converting different forms of energy into light.
- There are several major categories of artificial light sources such as:
- Incandescent: These work by heating a filament until it glows, emitting light (traditional light bulbs).
- Fluorescent: Electric current triggers gas inside the bulb to produce ultraviolet light, which a phosphor coating converts into visible light.
- LED (Light-Emitting Diode): Electricity excites semiconductors, causing them to emit light.
- Gas-discharge lamps: Electric current passes through a gas, producing bright light (e.g., neon signs, street lamps).