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Sonoluminescence: The Phenomenon of Light from Sound
Context:
The human eye’s remarkable sensitivity to light has intrigued many, revealing insights into phenomena like sonoluminescence, where sound waves create flashes of light.
More on News:
- First seen in laboratories and also found in nature, this process highlights the surprising interplay between sound, pressure, and light.
- In 1934, German engineers were investigating sonar technology, a technique used by animals like bats to navigate through sound.
- Studying sonar technology discovered that powerful sound waves can cause small bubbles trapped in a liquid to emit flashes of light.
Mechanism of Sonoluminescence
About Sonoluminescence:
- Sonoluminescence isn’t confined to laboratory environments.
- A remarkable example of this is found in the pistol shrimp, which belongs to the Alpheidae family.
- This small but powerful marine creature has a specialised claw that snaps shut at incredible speed, creating a jet of water strong enough to form a low-pressure bubble.
- When the bubble collapses, it produces a loud sound, intense heat, and sometimes a brief flash of light.
- This natural phenomenon, often called “shrimp snap,” mirrors the sonoluminescence observed in controlled experiments.