Color/Light Chapter 27 Flashcards

Questions and Answers

Which color of visible light has the lowest frequency?

Green

Violet

Red (correct)

Blue

Which color of visible light has the highest frequency?

Blue

Red

Violet (correct)

Green

How does the speed of light compare to that of sound?

Light travels slower than sound

Speed of light varies with temperature

Light and sound travel at the same speed

Light travels faster than sound (correct)

Light waves are longitudinal.

False Signup and view all the answers

Radio waves are sound waves.

False Signup and view all the answers

Why are some materials transparent to light but opaque to other types of electromagnetic radiation?

If the wavelengths of the electromagnetic radiation are larger than the atoms in the object, then it will pass through. Signup and view all the answers

How can light be absorbed?

Electrons in atoms vibrate at specific frequencies, absorbing energy from light waves of matching frequencies. Signup and view all the answers

What happens to the speed of light when it enters glass?

It slows down while going through the glass and returns to original speed when exiting back into air. Signup and view all the answers

Why is ultraviolet light not transmitted through glass?

Its natural frequency is similar to the frequency of atoms in glass, causing it to be absorbed as thermal energy. Signup and view all the answers

How must you orient polarizing filters to block out all light?

Perpendicular to each other. Signup and view all the answers

Can all types of waves be polarized?

False Signup and view all the answers

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.

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!