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An LED (Light Emitting Diode) produces light through a process called electroluminescence. Here's how it works in simple terms:
In summary, an LED produces light when electricity makes electrons move and lose energy, which gets released as light. The process is highly efficient, and that's why LEDs use less power compared to traditional light sources like incandescent bulbs!
- Electrical current: When electricity flows through the LED, it passes through a special material called a semiconductor. This material is made of two types of substances: one is positively charged (called the "p-type"), and the other is negatively charged (called the "n-type").
- Electron movement: In the LED, electrons from the n-type side (which have a negative charge) move toward the p-type side (which has a positive charge). As the electrons move across the material, they "fall" into lower energy levels.
- Energy release: When the electrons fall into these lower energy levels, they lose energy. This lost energy is released in the form of light.
- Color of the light: The color (or wavelength) of the light depends on the energy gap between the two sides of the semiconductor. If the energy gap is large, the light emitted will be more on the blue/violet end of the spectrum, and if the gap is smaller, the light will be more red.
In summary, an LED produces light when electricity makes electrons move and lose energy, which gets released as light. The process is highly efficient, and that's why LEDs use less power compared to traditional light sources like incandescent bulbs!