Chemistry of Blue Light and Eyes

Chemistry Connections

Episode #9

Welcome to Chemistry Connections, my name is Scott Hunt and I am your host for episode #9 called Blue light Today I/we will be discussing how blue light affects your eyes.

Segment 1: Introduction to Blue light

Introduce the episode topic

Include definitions, vocabulary, interesting background information and context

Light is an electromagnetic radiation that travels in waves and is a form of energy. The different colors of light is due to differences in wavelength and frequency of the waves. A short wavelength will have a higher frequency which will result in more energy. For example ultraviolet rays is another type of electromagnetic radiation that has a smaller wavelength than visible light and therefore more energy per photon.

Retina.- a light sensitive tissue that when light hits it, the retina sends signals.

Cornea- a transparent on the outside of the eye

Pupil- the black part of your eye

Iris- the colored part of the eye

Lens- right behind the iris and pupil

Photoreceptor cells- cells in the retina.

The cells need molecules called retinal to sense light and trigger the signals that get sent to the brain

Excitation is when photons and the energy from photons is absorbed by a molecule. The molecule is then in an excited state, which is when an electron moves into a higher energy level. A result of excitation can be a reaction

Segment 2: The Chemistry Behind Blue light

Have a natural transition into an example… no need to say “segment 2”

Provide detailed explanations of the chemistry that is related to your topic.

Remember that you must have a minimum of 2 topics from ap chem that you can explain here as related to your episode

There is natural and artificial. Natural is the wavelengths that bounce off the air molecules and cause the sky to be blue. Artificial l blue light is the light from our phones and technology. Blue light might appear to look white or other colors. Blue light has one of the shortest wavelengths (400 to 450 nanometers) and highest energy. The short wavelengths are not able to be blocked or reflected by the eye’s cornea and lens. This allows the blue light to have direct contact with the retina.

Blue light exposure causes the retinal molecules to go through excitation. The energy from blue light photons is absorbed by retinal molecules which react to form non degradable material known as lipofuscins which is toxic as well as retinal condensation products.

Segment 3: Personal Connections

What interested you in this topic? Why is it important? Anything else you’d like to share.

I am interested in this topic because I use the computer often playing games and doing school work as well as using my phone in my free time. It is important because computers and phones are the future and something everyone uses in their daily lives.

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