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Laser Trivia Trivia Quiz

Laser physics for those with some background knowledge.

A multiple-choice quiz by dan_scan. Estimated time: 3 mins.

Author
dan_scan

Time
3 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
201,368

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
1180

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. What does LASER stand for? Hint

Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation

Light Absorption by Simulated Emission of Radiation

Latent Absorption of Specified Elliptical Radons

Latent Amplification of Stimulated and Elliptical Radons

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Question 2 of 10

2. What particle plays the major role in the process of lasing? Hint

Proton

Electron

Neutron

Krypton

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Question 3 of 10

3. What do you call an atom whose electrons have reached a higher energy state? Hint

Energized state atom

Excited state atom

Lasing atom

Radiative atom

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Question 4 of 10

4. When an electron drops down from a higher energy state and recombines with a hole, what is produced? Hint

Nothing, they cancel out.

A gamma ray

A photon

A current

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Question 5 of 10

5. Laser light has many features which differ from ordinary incandescent light. Which of these is NOT one of them? Hint

Coherent

Diffuse

Monochromatic

Intensely focused

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Question 6 of 10

6. What requirement needs to be met before a medium can begin to 'lase'? Hint

Threshold voltage

Population inversion

Equal density of states

100% slope efficiency

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Question 7 of 10

7. What is the minimum number of energy levels needed for lasing? Hint

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Question 8 of 10

8. The wavelength of the laser light is a direct relationship with what feature of the medium? Hint

The energy gap between the excited state and ground state

The amount of energy levels in the lasing process

The density of excited state atoms

It has nothing to do with the medium

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Question 9 of 10

9. What is NOT a form of laser? Hint

Dye

Semiconductor

Creatine

Gas

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Question 10 of 10

10. In what decade was the first laser built? Hint

1960's

1970's

1950's

1980's

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. What does LASER stand for?

Answer: Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation

This term was coined in the 60's after the MASER - Microwave Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation.

2. What particle plays the major role in the process of lasing?

Answer: Electron

When a photon (a light particle) hits an atom, an electron absorbs the energy from that photon and moves to a higher orbit around the atom.
When this atom then encounters another photon exactly the same as the first one, the electron moves back down to its original position and releases the energy it gained in the form of another photon.
Thus TWO photons are now present, hence the amplification part of laser.

Krypton is a noble gas, not a particle. Protons and Neutrons form the nucleus of an atom.

3. What do you call an atom whose electrons have reached a higher energy state?

Answer: Excited state atom

When an electron reaches a higher orbit after absorbing a photon, it is said to be in an excited state. Only excited state atoms are useful to the lasing process.

4. When an electron drops down from a higher energy state and recombines with a hole, what is produced?

Answer: A photon

As mentioned earlier, when an electron moves back down to its original position, its extra energy is released as light (a photon).

5. Laser light has many features which differ from ordinary incandescent light. Which of these is NOT one of them?

Answer: Diffuse

Coherent: light waves that are "in phase" with one another.

Monochromatic: of one color. All laser light is of one wavelength at a time. Notice the absence of a white laser (mix of wavelengths).

Diffuse: light that travels in many directions. All laser light travels in one direction, not like a light bulb which travels in all.

Intensely focused: the light is very directional. A laser light has a very tight beam and is very strong and concentrated. A flashlight, on the other hand, releases light in many directions, and the light is very weak and diffuse.

6. What requirement needs to be met before a medium can begin to 'lase'?

Answer: Population inversion

In a laser, there are two important levels, the excited state and the ground state. For lasing to occur, there needs to be a greater amount of electrons in the excited state than in the ground state, and this is given the term population inversion.

7. What is the minimum number of energy levels needed for lasing?

Answer: 3

Although 2 states would be theoretically possible, in reality its not. While some electrons will be trying to get to the excited state, some will also be dropping back down. These processes interfere with each other so much that a third level is needed. Electrons move up to the excited state, they drop down to a sub level, and then to the ground state, thus avoiding the clash.

8. The wavelength of the laser light is a direct relationship with what feature of the medium?

Answer: The energy gap between the excited state and ground state

The energy gap between the excited state and the ground state determines how much energy the electrons gives away when it drops down. This energy as mentioned then becomes a photon. The greater the energy of this photon, the smaller its wavelength.

9. What is NOT a form of laser?

Answer: Creatine

Creatine is a substance used in bodybuilding to increase the amount of water molecules muscles hold.

10. In what decade was the first laser built?

Answer: 1960's

Schawlow and Townes, both researchers at Bell Labs, invented and patented the theory of a laser in the 50's. It wasn't until 1960 that they actually built one, using a ruby.

Source: Author dan_scan

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