Final answer:
True, CCDs are significantly more efficient than photographic plates in detecting light, achieving between 60-70% of photon detection, with some exceeding 90%, compared to just about 1% for photographic plates.
Step-by-step explanation:
True, one of the primary advantages of Charge-Coupled Devices (CCDs) over photographic plates is their high efficiency in detecting light. Unlike photographic plates, which are quite inefficient—only about 1% of the light contributes to the image, CCDs can record between 60-70% of the photons that strike them, with the best CCDs even achieving over 90% sensitivity. These higher efficiencies allow for the detection of much fainter objects and provide more accurate measurements of brightness, with the output being immediately suitable for digital analysis.
Photographic plates consist of a light-sensitive chemical coating on glass, which captures images after development. Conversely, CCDs are semiconductor devices that convert light into electronic signals, counted in individual pixels. This allows for direct storage and electronic manipulation of visual data. CCDs also offer an improvement in dynamic range, linearity, and offer instantaneous digitization of captured images, which is particularly crucial for astronomical observations and other scientific applications.