Light Transmission and Interaction

Questions and Answers

How does light interact with objects when shone on them?

It changes the object's color

It gets absorbed by the object

It passes through the object

It bounces off the object (correct)

What is unique about the behavior of photons?

They act as neither particles nor waves

They act as both particles and waves (correct)

They only act as waves

They only act as particles

What determines the type of electromagnetic radiation?

The frequency and wavelength of the light (correct)

The direction and distance of the light

The intensity and speed of the light

The color and brightness of the light

What is the relationship between frequency and wavelength of light?

They are inversely proportional Signup and view all the answers

What type of light has a higher amount of energy?

Ultraviolet light Signup and view all the answers

What is the main difference between absorption and reflection of light?

Absorption is when light is taken in by an object and converted to thermal energy, while reflection is when light is bounced off an object Signup and view all the answers

Why do black cars get hotter than light-colored cars?

Because black cars absorb more light than light-colored cars Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of light transmission?

Light passing through a glass windshield Signup and view all the answers

What is true about waves in general?

Waves propagate energy, momentum, and/or information, but not matter Signup and view all the answers

What happens to the light that is not absorbed by an object?

It is reflected back to our eyes, which we perceive as color Signup and view all the answers

What is the definition of the transmission of waves?

The movement of a wave through a medium Signup and view all the answers

What happens to light when it is transmitted through a material?

It can pass through with little change, or be scattered or refracted Signup and view all the answers

Why does the sky appear blue to us?

Because of the scattering of blue light by the nitrogen in the atmosphere Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of refraction of light in nature?

A rainbow Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of using sunglasses with colored lenses?

To decrease the brightness of reflected light Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Light Transmission

Light is made up of individual units called photons, which act as both particles and waves.
The electromagnetic radiation spectrum includes different forms of light, such as:
- Microwaves, radio waves, and visible light (middle of the spectrum)
- Ultraviolet light, x-rays, and gamma rays (high frequencies, high energy)
- Infrared light, microwaves, and radio waves (low frequencies, low energy)
When light interacts with objects, it can be:
- Reflected (bounced off, like a particle)
- Absorbed (energy taken in by molecules, transformed into thermal energy)
- Transmitted (passes through objects, like a wave)

Light Absorption and Reflection

Objects with high reflective properties (e.g., glass, mirrors, shiny surfaces) reflect most of the light that hits them.
Opaque objects absorb light, converting it to thermal energy.
Light absorption and reflection are responsible for our perception of color:
- White light (all frequencies) hits an object, and the reflected color is what we see.

Light Transmission Examples

Light transmission through transparent materials (e.g., glass, water, plastic) allows light to pass through with little change.
In the atmosphere, about 30% of sunlight is reflected, while the rest is absorbed or transmitted to the Earth's surface.
Scattering and refraction occur when light interacts with the atmosphere:
- Scattering: light hits atoms and is transmitted in all directions (making the sky appear blue)
- Refraction: light bends as it changes speed through a material (creating rainbows)

Transmission of Waves Definition

Waves are disturbances in a medium that travel through the medium in an organized way.
Waves can propagate energy, momentum, and/or information, but not matter.
Types of waves include:
- Light waves (photons, particles of light)
- Sound waves (require a medium, like air or water)
- Kinetic waves (transfer energy through a medium, like water)

Wave Transmission

Wave transmission is the movement of a wave through a medium.
The type of wave and medium can change the wave's energy, wavelength, and frequency.
Energy loss occurs when waves change medium or type.
Waves can be scattered or refracted as they transmit through a medium.