Questions and Answers
Which color of visible light has the lowest frequency?
Which color of visible light has the highest frequency?
How does the speed of light compare to that of sound?
Light waves are longitudinal.
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Radio waves are sound waves.
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Why are some materials transparent to light but opaque to other types of electromagnetic radiation?
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How can light be absorbed?
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What happens to the speed of light when it enters glass?
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Why is ultraviolet light not transmitted through glass?
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How must you orient polarizing filters to block out all light?
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Can all types of waves be polarized?
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Study Notes
Color and Light Properties
- Red light has the lowest frequency and longest wavelength in the visible spectrum.
- Violet light has the highest frequency and shortest wavelength in the visible spectrum.
Speed of Light vs. Sound
- Speed of light is significantly faster than sound, measured at approximately 3 x 10^8 m/s for light compared to 343 m/s for sound.
Nature of Light Waves
- Light waves are classified as transverse waves, meaning their oscillations are perpendicular to the direction of wave propagation.
Radio Waves
- Radio waves fall under the category of electromagnetic waves, not sound waves.
Transparency and Opacity
- Materials can be transparent to light if the wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation are smaller than the atomic size of the material, allowing light to pass through.
Absorption of Light
- Light absorption occurs when light waves of specific frequencies match the natural vibrational frequencies of electrons in atoms and molecules, converting light energy into vibrational and then thermal energy.
- Different atoms absorb different frequencies of visible light due to varying natural frequencies of vibrational motion.
Light Speed in Glass
- Light travels at 3 x 10^8 m/s before entering glass, slows down while passing through glass, and reverts to its original speed upon exiting back into air.
Ultraviolet Light Absorption
- Ultraviolet light is not transmitted through glass because its natural frequency aligns with the natural frequencies of atoms and molecules in glass, leading to energy absorption and conversion to thermal energy.
Polarization of Light
- To block all light, polarizing filters should be oriented perpendicularly to each other.
Wave Polarization Limitations
- Not all waves can be polarized; sound waves cannot be polarized because they are longitudinal, meaning their medium does not oscillate perpendicular to the direction of the wave.
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Description
Explore the essential concepts of color and light from Chapter 27. This quiz covers key topics such as the properties of visible light, including frequency and wavelength, and compares the speed of light and sound. Test your understanding of these fundamental principles in physics!