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:
- A special machine, like a tube, gets heated up with electricity.
- The heat makes the tiny particles inside the tube (called atoms) get excited and jump up to a higher energy level.
- When these atoms calm back down, they release their extra energy as a single color of light, like red or green.
- This light bounces back and forth inside the tube, making it stronger and more focused.
- 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.