Science Common Sense

246 - How does a laser work?

A laser is a special kind of light that is very strong and focused. It works like this:

1. A special machine, like a tube, gets heated up with electricity.
2. The heat makes the tiny particles inside the tube (called atoms) get excited and jump up to a higher energy level.
3. When these atoms calm back down, they release their extra energy as a single color of light, like red or green.
4. This light bounces back and forth inside the tube, making it stronger and more focused.
5. Finally, the laser light comes out of the other end of the tube in a super-strong and straight beam.

Think of it like a super-powered flashlight that shoots out a single, strong beam of light.