Page 121 - The Creation Of The Universe

Radiant
energy
output of
Sun

Gamma rays (10 ) Visible light & infrared Radio waves (10 )
-16
9
wavelengths (microns)

Radiant
energy of
biological
utility

Gamma rays (10 ) Visible light & infrared Radio waves (10 )
-16
9
wavelengths (microns)
THE FITNESS OF SUNLIGHT AND CHLOROPHYLL
Plants are able to perform photosynthesis because the chlorophyll molecules in their cells are
sensitive to sunlight. But chlorophyll is only able to use a very limited range of light wavelengths
and those are the wavelengths that the Sun radiates the most. What is even more interesting is
that this interval corresponds to just 1/10 25 of the whole electromagnetic spectrum.
In the two graphs above, the extraordinary fitness between sunlight and chlorophyll can be seen.
In the upper chart is the distribution of the light emitted by the Sun. In the lower one is the light
under which photosynthesis will work. The fact that these two curves are almost identical is an in-
dication of how perfectly created visible light is.