When light is absorbed by matter, it can transfer energy to the atoms or molecules of the material. This energy is typically converted into kinetic energy, causing the atoms or molecules to vibrate or move faster, which we perceive as an increase in temperature. This process is known as the absorption of light energy.
On the other hand, when matter emits light, it releases energy in the form of electromagnetic radiation. This emission of light occurs when atoms or molecules transition from higher energy states to lower energy states, releasing excess energy in the process. However, this energy release does not necessarily result in a significant increase in temperature for the material emitting light.
The reason for this is that when matter absorbs light, it typically absorbs a wide range of electromagnetic radiation, including infrared, visible, and ultraviolet light. These different wavelengths of light carry different amounts of energy. Some of this energy is converted into heat, increasing the temperature of the material.
However, when matter emits light, it tends to release light at specific wavelengths corresponding to the energy transitions within the atoms or molecules. This emitted light often falls within the visible range of the electromagnetic spectrum. The amount of energy released as light is usually much smaller than the amount of energy absorbed from various wavelengths. As a result, the emitted light carries away only a fraction of the absorbed energy, and the increase in temperature due to emission is not as significant.
In summary, the absorption of light by matter can lead to an increase in temperature as the absorbed energy is converted into thermal energy. However, the emission of light by matter releases only a fraction of the absorbed energy, resulting in a relatively smaller impact on the material's temperature.