What ancient Greek structure housed a continuously burning fire for civic and religious purposes?
- Parthenon
- Pyrtaneum
- Acropolis
- Agora
Correct Answer: Pyrtaneum
Correct Answer Explanation: The Pyrtaneum was a public building in ancient Greece where a fire was kept burning continuously. It served both civic and religious purposes, symbolizing the importance of fire and light in human civilization.
What was the earliest and most common source of artificial light for prehistoric humans?
- Candles
- Oil lamps
- Torches
- Rushlights
Correct Answer: Torches
Correct Answer Explanation: Primitive humans used burning wood splinters, embers, and later torches made from resinous woods as their earliest and most common sources of artificial light.
What innovation in gas lighting, developed by Auer von Welsbach in 1886, significantly increased the luminous efficiency of gas lights?
- The gas mantle
- The electric arc
- The tungsten filament
- The kerosene lamp
Correct Answer: The gas mantle
Correct Answer Explanation: The gas mantle, made from a mixture of rare-earth oxides, significantly increased the luminous efficiency of gas lighting, making it a more viable competitor to electric light.
What did William Murdock use to control the flow of gas in his early experiments with gas lighting?
- A pipe
- A valve
- A thimble
- A syringe
Correct Answer: A thimble
Correct Answer Explanation: In a testament to ingenuity and resourcefulness, William Murdock used a thimble to control the flow of gas in his early experiments with gas lighting, demonstrating how simple everyday objects can be used for groundbreaking discoveries.
What type of light source, discovered by Sir Humphrey Davy in the early 19th century, became a powerful source of illumination for street lighting?
- The electric arc
- The gas mantle
- The incandescent filament
- The fluorescent lamp
Correct Answer: The electric arc
Correct Answer Explanation: The electric arc, discovered by Sir Humphrey Davy in the early 19th century, became a powerful light source with the advent of the dynamo. It was widely used for street lighting and other purposes.
What was the key invention by Thomas Edison in 1879 that revolutionized electric lighting?
- The electric arc
- The gas mantle
- The incandescent filament lamp
- The fluorescent lamp
Correct Answer: The incandescent filament lamp
Correct Answer Explanation: Thomas Edison’s invention of the electric incandescent filament lamp in 1879, using a carbon filament, paved the way for the development of the tungsten filament lamp, which remains a mainstay of electric lighting.
What significant advancement in light production was achieved by filling a bulb with an inert gas, allowing the filament to operate at higher temperatures without degrading?
- The gas-filled tungsten lamp
- The fluorescent lamp
- The electric arc lamp
- The mercury vapor lamp
Correct Answer: The gas-filled tungsten lamp
Correct Answer Explanation: The invention of the gas-filled tungsten lamp in 1914 further increased luminous efficiency. By filling the bulb with an inert gas, the filament could be operated at higher temperatures without significant degradation, producing a brighter light.
What role did artificial light play in warfare, especially during the recent war (World War I)?
- It was primarily used for illuminating battlefields.
- It was used for signaling, protection, and illumination.
- It was used to confuse the enemy with blinding lights.
- It was primarily used for communication with flares.
Correct Answer: It was used for signaling, protection, and illumination.
Correct Answer Explanation: Artificial light played a crucial role in warfare during World War I. It was used for illumination, signaling, and protection, with innovations in searchlights, flares, and rockets arising during this period.
What significant development in the early 1900s transformed street lighting, improving public safety and life?
- The transition from gas lights to electric lights
- The invention of the electric arc lamp
- The invention of the gas mantle
- The development of sodium vapor lamps
Correct Answer: The transition from gas lights to electric lights
Correct Answer Explanation: The development of electric and gas lighting transformed street lighting, increasing safety and improving public life. The book highlights the transition from oil lamps to electric arcs and then to gas mantles and incandescent filaments for street lighting.
What was the primary reason for the significant increase in the efficiency of light production during the 19th century?
- The invention of the gas mantle
- The discovery of electricity
- The development of the electric incandescent filament lamp
- The discovery of petroleum
Correct Answer: The invention of the gas mantle and the development of the electric incandescent filament lamp
Correct Answer Explanation: The efficiency of light production increased fiftyfold in the 19th century. This was primarily due to the invention of the gas mantle and the development of the electric incandescent filament lamp, both of which significantly increased the amount of light produced per unit of energy consumed.
What medical field, explored in the book, utilizes the bactericidal and therapeutic properties of light?
- Light therapy
- Radiation therapy
- Chemotherapy
- Photodynamic therapy
Correct Answer: Light therapy
Correct Answer Explanation: Light therapy, utilizing the bactericidal and therapeutic properties of light, has emerged as a significant medical field. The book explores the uses of ultraviolet rays for treating skin diseases, sterilizing water, and even promoting plant growth.
What significant impact did artificial light have on the cost of living?
- It increased the cost of living by making production more expensive.
- It decreased the cost of living by making production more efficient.
- It had no significant impact on the cost of living.
- It increased the cost of living by increasing energy consumption.
Correct Answer: It decreased the cost of living by making production more efficient.
Correct Answer Explanation: Artificial light has significantly impacted the cost of living. The book discusses how artificial light has made continuous production possible in factories, leading to increased output and lower costs.
What is the approximate percentage of industrial accidents that are attributed to defects in lighting?
- 10%
- 18%
- 25%
- 50%
Correct Answer: 18%
Correct Answer Explanation: The book notes that about 18 percent of industrial accidents are due to defects in lighting, highlighting the importance of proper illumination for safety in workplaces.
What is the primary message conveyed by the book “Artificial Light: Its Influence upon Civilization (1920)”?
- Artificial light has revolutionized human civilization and continues to hold immense potential for the future.
- Artificial light has had a negative impact on human civilization due to its energy consumption and environmental effects.
- Artificial light is a necessary evil, but it is not as important as natural light.
- The future of artificial light is uncertain due to the development of alternative energy sources.
Correct Answer: Artificial light has revolutionized human civilization and continues to hold immense potential for the future.
Correct Answer Explanation: The book convincingly demonstrates that artificial light has played a pivotal role in the advancement of civilization. From its humble beginnings in primitive fire-making to its sophisticated applications in modern life, artificial light has driven progress in numerous fields, including industry, commerce, transportation, warfare, health, and the arts. The author, Matthew Luckiesh, highlights the importance of scientific research and ingenuity in the development of new light sources and applications. He emphasizes that the future of artificial light holds tremendous promise, with scientists exploring emerging technologies and pushing the boundaries of what is possible. Artificial light has the potential to continue to shape human life, offering solutions to challenges in areas ranging from health and safety to productivity and the pursuit of art. The book leaves the reader with a profound appreciation for the transformative power of light and its enduring influence on human history and the promise of a brighter future.
What is the process of a solid substance changing directly into a gas without passing through a liquid phase?
- Condensation
- Evaporation
- Sublimation
- Fusion
Correct Answer: Sublimation
Correct Answer Explanation: Sublimation is the process of a solid substance changing directly into a gas without passing through a liquid phase. This is a phenomenon that is relevant to the understanding of light production, as some materials used in light sources undergo sublimation processes.
What is the name given to the emission of light by a substance caused by an electric current?
- Phosphorescence
- Fluorescence
- Chemiluminescence
- Electroluminescence
Correct Answer: Electroluminescence
Correct Answer Explanation: Electroluminescence is the emission of light from a substance caused by an electric current. This principle is behind various modern light sources, such as LED lamps.
What is the name for the amount of light emitted by a source in a specific direction, measured in candles?
- Luminous intensity
- Illumination intensity
- Luminous flux
- Foot-candle
Correct Answer: Luminous intensity
Correct Answer Explanation: Luminous intensity is the amount of light emitted by a source in a specific direction, measured in candles. This is a crucial measurement for understanding the performance and efficiency of light sources.
What is the name given to the ratio of the amount of light produced to the amount of energy consumed by a light source?
- Luminous intensity
- Illumination intensity
- Luminous efficiency
- Foot-candle
Correct Answer: Luminous efficiency
Correct Answer Explanation: Luminous efficiency is the ratio of the amount of light produced to the amount of energy consumed by a light source. It is a key indicator of the performance and energy efficiency of a lighting system.
What is the name for the amount of light falling on a surface, measured in foot-candles?
- Luminous intensity
- Illumination intensity
- Luminous flux
- Foot-candle
Correct Answer: Illumination intensity
Correct Answer Explanation: Illumination intensity is the amount of light falling on a surface, measured in foot-candles. This measurement is important for understanding the quality of lighting in a space, whether it be for work, recreation, or safety.
What is the name for the emission of light by a substance after exposure to light, continuing for a period of time after the exciting light source is removed?
- Phosphorescence
- Fluorescence
- Chemiluminescence
- Electroluminescence
Correct Answer: Phosphorescence
Correct Answer Explanation: Phosphorescence is the emission of light by a substance after exposure to light, continuing for a period of time after the exciting light source is removed. This phenomenon is responsible for the glow-in-the-dark effect seen in some materials.
What is the name for the emission of light by a substance while exposed to light, ceasing when the exciting light source is removed?
- Phosphorescence
- Fluorescence
- Chemiluminescence
- Electroluminescence
Correct Answer: Fluorescence
Correct Answer Explanation: Fluorescence is the emission of light by a substance while exposed to light, ceasing when the exciting light source is removed. This phenomenon is used in various applications, such as fluorescent lamps and certain types of microscopy.
What is the name for the emission of light from a chemical reaction?
- Phosphorescence
- Fluorescence
- Chemiluminescence
- Electroluminescence
Correct Answer: Chemiluminescence
Correct Answer Explanation: Chemiluminescence is the emission of light from a chemical reaction. This phenomenon is responsible for the glow of fireflies and is used in various applications, such as glow sticks and some types of biochemical assays.
What was the traditional use of whale oil and spermaceti before the discovery of petroleum?
- Fuel for heating
- Fuel for lighting
- Lubricating oil
- Ingredient in cosmetics
Correct Answer: Fuel for lighting
Correct Answer Explanation: Whale oil and spermaceti, derived from the sperm whale, were once important fuels for illumination, illustrating the dependence on natural resources before the discovery of petroleum. They were used in early lighthouses, lamps, and other lighting applications.
What was the name of the engineer for the Chartered Gas Light and Coke Company who played a vital role in the advancement of gas lighting?
- William Murdock
- Samuel Clegg
- Auer von Welsbach
- Thomas Edison
Correct Answer: Samuel Clegg
Correct Answer Explanation: Samuel Clegg, an engineer for the Chartered Gas Light and Coke Company, played a vital role in the advancement of gas lighting. He introduced important innovations like horizontal rotating retorts and a rotative gas meter.
What was the name of the person who discovered oil in Pennsylvania in 1859, revolutionizing the oil industry?
- Edwin Drake
- John D. Rockefeller
- Henry Ford
- Thomas Edison
Correct Answer: Edwin Drake
Correct Answer Explanation: The discovery of oil in Pennsylvania by Colonel E.L. Drake in 1859 revolutionized the oil industry and led to the widespread adoption of kerosene lamps. This discovery marked a significant turning point in the history of artificial light.
What type of lighting controversy arose in Philadelphia in 1833, highlighting resistance to innovation?
- The controversy over the use of gas lighting in the city
- The controversy over the use of electric lighting in the city
- The controversy over the use of oil lamps in the city
- The controversy over the use of candles in the city
Correct Answer: The controversy over the use of gas lighting in the city
Correct Answer Explanation: The gas-lighting controversy in Philadelphia in 1833 highlights the resistance to innovation, even when it comes to improving safety and efficiency. Some people were hesitant to embrace the new technology of gas lighting, fearing its potential dangers and unknowns.
What was the accidental discovery that led to the development of acetylene lighting?
- The discovery of calcium carbide while throwing water on waste materials in an electric furnace
- The discovery of natural gas while drilling for oil
- The discovery of the gas mantle while experimenting with different materials
- The discovery of the electric arc while experimenting with electricity
Correct Answer: The discovery of calcium carbide while throwing water on waste materials in an electric furnace
Correct Answer Explanation: The accidental discovery of calcium carbide, made while throwing water on waste materials in an electric furnace, led to the development of acetylene lighting. This unexpected discovery highlights how scientific breakthroughs can occur through chance observations and experimentation.
What was the application of self-luminous paint during World War I an example of?
- How readily available technology can be adapted to meet wartime needs
- How new technology can be developed rapidly in times of war
- How artificial light can be used to confuse the enemy
- How artificial light can be used to improve communication
Correct Answer: How readily available technology can be adapted to meet wartime needs
Correct Answer Explanation: The use of self-luminous paint during the recent war (World War I) highlights how readily available technology can be adapted to meet wartime needs. This demonstrates how existing technologies can be repurposed and refined to serve new purposes, particularly in times of conflict.
What is the name for a thick, clear solution of guncotton in alcohol and ether, used as a protective coating for various materials?
- Collodion
- Nitroglycerin
- Dynamite
- Gelatin
Correct Answer: Collodion
Correct Answer Explanation: Collodion is a thick, clear solution of guncotton in alcohol and ether, used as a protective coating for various materials. It has applications in photography, medicine, and other fields.
What is the process of treating cotton fibers with a solution of sodium hydroxide to improve their luster, strength, and dye-absorbing properties?
- Mercerization
- Bleaching
- Dyeing
- Sizing
Correct Answer: Mercerization
Correct Answer Explanation: Mercerization is a process of treating cotton fibers with a solution of sodium hydroxide to improve their luster, strength, and dye-absorbing properties. This process was developed by John Mercer in the 19th century and has played a significant role in the textile industry.
What type of salts containing the nitrate ion (NO3-) are used in the production of explosives and in various chemical processes?
- Nitrates
- Sulfates
- Carbonates
- Chlorides
Correct Answer: Nitrates
Correct Answer Explanation: Nitrates are salts containing the nitrate ion (NO3-) and are used in the production of explosives, such as gunpowder and dynamite, as well as in various chemical processes, including fertilizer production.
What does it mean for a substance to be hydroscopic?
- It has a strong affinity for water.
- It is easily combustible.
- It is highly corrosive.
- It is a good conductor of electricity.
Correct Answer: It has a strong affinity for water.
Correct Answer Explanation: Hydroscopic substances have a strong affinity for water, meaning they readily absorb moisture from the surrounding air. This property is relevant to the understanding of how certain materials behave in different environments and is important in various applications, including the storage and handling of hygroscopic chemicals.
What is the name for different forms of the same element, such as the allotropic forms of carbon (diamond, graphite) or sulfur?
- Isomers
- Isotopes
- Allotropes
- Polymers
Correct Answer: Allotropes
Correct Answer Explanation: Allotropes are different forms of the same element that have different physical and chemical properties. The allotropic forms of carbon, diamond, and graphite, are classic examples of this phenomenon.
What is the name for the emission of electrons from a substance caused by exposure to light?
- Photoconductivity
- Photoluminescence
- Photoelectricity
- Photocatalysis
Correct Answer: Photoelectricity
Correct Answer Explanation: Photoelectricity is the emission of electrons from a substance caused by exposure to light. This phenomenon is the basis for various technologies, including photomultipliers, solar cells, and light detectors.
What is the name for the distortion in an optical system where rays of light coming from a point source do not converge to a single point after passing through a lens or mirror?
- Spherical aberration
- Chromatic aberration
- Diffraction
- Refraction
Correct Answer: Spherical aberration
Correct Answer Explanation: Spherical aberration is a distortion in an optical system where rays of light coming from a point source do not converge to a single point after passing through a lens or mirror. This type of aberration can affect the sharpness and clarity of images produced by lenses and mirrors.
What is the name for the total amount of light emitted by a source, measured in lumens?
- Luminous intensity
- Illumination intensity
- Luminous flux
- Foot-candle
Correct Answer: Luminous flux
Correct Answer Explanation: Luminous flux is the total amount of light emitted by a source, measured in lumens. This is a measure of the total light output of a source and is important for understanding the overall brightness of a lighting system.
What is the name for the unit of illumination intensity, representing the illumination on a surface one foot away from a one-candle light source?
- Lumen
- Candela
- Lux
- Foot-candle
Correct Answer: Foot-candle
Correct Answer Explanation: A foot-candle is a unit of illumination intensity, representing the illumination on a surface one foot away from a one-candle light source. This unit is commonly used for measuring lighting levels in various applications, including indoor lighting and street lighting.