Okay kiddo, imagine a special kind of light that can cut things like a hot knife through butter. This special light is called a laser. A carbon dioxide laser is a type of laser that uses a gas made up of carbon dioxide to create the special light.
When you turn on the carbon dioxide laser, electricity passes through a tube filled with the gas. This excites the gas molecules, causing them to release energy in the form of light. The light is then focused by a special lens, creating a tiny, powerful beam that can cut through things.
Carbon dioxide lasers are commonly used in medicine for surgery because they can make very precise cuts without damaging nearby tissue. They are also used in manufacturing to cut and shape materials like plastics, metals, and wood.
So basically, a carbon dioxide laser is a very special type of light that can do some really cool things like cutting through things without heat or causing damage to other things nearby. It's like using a superhero power to get the job done!