What kind of light typically generates an orange or yellow glow?

Sodium lights are commonly responsible for producing an orange or yellow glow, primarily due to the way they operate. Sodium vapor lamps work by passing an electric current through sodium vapor, which emits light as a result of the excitation of sodium atoms. This type of lamp is known for its distinctive warm hue, which is particularly notable in street lighting and other outdoor applications due to its efficiency and high intensity.

While halogen and LED lights can come in various colors, they typically do not emit the characteristic orange or yellow glow associated with sodium lights. Halogen bulbs emit a bright white or warm white light, while LEDs can produce a wider range of colors depending on their design and usage. Fluorescent lights, on the other hand, generally emit a cooler white light or colors closer to the blue spectrum rather than the warmer tones of yellow or orange. Thus, sodium lights stand out as the primary source of that specific color of light.