Question

Lasers are used to burn and read CDs. Explain why a laser that emits blue light would be capable of burning and reading more information than one that emits infrared.

Short answer

As blue light has a shorter wavelength than infrared light, it can burn and read more data on a CD of the same size than an infrared laser.

Step-by-step solution

Define the characteristic x rays

The electromagnetic radiation released by an atom when an inner shell vacancy is filled is known as a characteristic x-ray. When electrons jump from a higher to a lower energy state, these x-ray radiations are emitted by the atom.

Given that observers at a safe distance from an atmospheric test of a nuclear bomb feels its heat but receive none of its copious x rays.

Wavelength of x-rays photons is given as:

\[\lambda = \frac{{hc}}{E}\]

Here,λwavelength of x ray, h Planck's constant, c speed of light and E energy of x rays.

Define the explanation for the question

Lasers of various wavelengths can be used to burn and read CDs. However, blue-emitting lasers are preferable for this purpose.

Single-wavelength electromagnetic radiations are produced by the lasers, which are also very coherent. The wavelength of a laser that emits blue light is shorter than the wavelength of a laser that emits red light. Because the wavelength of a blue colour emitting laser is shorter than that of other lasers, its photons are more energetic. As a result, blue-emitting lasers are favoured for burning and reading CDs.

Therefore, the lasers that emit blue color is preferred for burning and reading CDs than other lasers.