Final answer:
Medical lasers have an intensity much greater than sunlight, and their precise, intense beams are used in various applications, including medicine and industry. They can be dangerous, especially to the eyes, and must be used with appropriate safety measures.
Step-by-step explanation:
Lasers are central to various applications, including medical scenarios where they're used to treat cancer by burning away cancerous tissue. The intensity of a laser beam in medical applications can greatly surpass that of natural light sources such as sunlight. For instance, if a laser deposits 500 J of energy into a 2.00 mm diameter spot over 4.00 seconds, and 90% of that energy is absorbed, one can calculate the intensity of the beam. The average intensity of sunlight is roughly 700 W/m², which is dwarfed by the intensity of medical laser beams, often making lasers in a clinical setting potentially dangerous if they were to enter your eye, even for a brief moment.
Laser beams are not only used in medicine but also have applications in industry, entertainment, and communication. The properties of lasers, such as being directional, narrow, and intense, make them suitable for precise tasks like cutting or burning in industrial settings, creating visual effects in light shows, and transmitting data through optical fibers.
It's important to recognize how powerful and precise laser technology can be, as well as its potential hazards. While a Class 2M laser, which is not safely viewable under all conditions of optical instruments, may be safe under specific control measures, it would be important to handle with care to avoid any risks, especially concerning eye safety.