Final answer:
White light consists of photons, which are particles of energy with specific wavelengths that represent different colors. This visible light is only a small part of the Sun's wide range of electromagnetic emissions.
Step-by-step explanation:
White light is composed of many photons and is only a spectrum of the light emitted by the Sun. Each photon is an individual particle of energy that, when combined, forms the white light we typically see. Photons have wavelengths which determine their color, with the visible spectrum ranging from about 400 to 750 nanometers (nm) in wavelength. This range includes all colors of the rainbow, from violet, which has the shortest wavelength, to red, which has the longest. Visible light itself is a narrow band within the much broader electromagnetic spectrum which includes gamma rays, X-rays, ultraviolet, infrared, and radio waves, each with its respective wavelength range. However, visible light is only one part of the electromagnetic radiation emitted from the Sun, which emits a wide range of electromagnetic waves beyond those detectable by the human eye.