Physics of Light

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Questions and Answers

What is the characteristic of light that distinguishes it from other forms of electromagnetic radiation?

  • Its high frequency
  • Its ability to cause ionization
  • Its transverse wave nature (correct)
  • Its ability to travel through a vacuum

What is the wavelength range of visible light?

  • 400-700 nm (correct)
  • 1-10 mm
  • 100-400 nm
  • 700 nm-1 mm

What is the phenomenon where light bends as it passes from one medium to another with a different optical density?

  • Reflection
  • Refraction (correct)
  • Interference
  • Diffraction

What is the law that describes the relationship between the angles of incidence and refraction?

<p>Snell's Law (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of the superposition of light waves?

<p>Interference (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the experiment that demonstrates the principles of interference and diffraction?

<p>Young's Double-Slit Experiment (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the speed of light in a vacuum?

<p>299,792,458 m/s (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the property of light that remains constant regardless of the relative motion of the observer?

<p>Speed (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic of light that exhibits both wave-like and particle-like properties?

<p>Wave-particle duality (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

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Study Notes

Light

Definition and Properties

  • Light is a form of electromagnetic radiation
  • It is a transverse wave, meaning its electric and magnetic field vectors vibrate perpendicular to the direction of propagation
  • Light has both wave-like and particle-like properties (wave-particle duality)

Types of Light

  • Visible Light: the part of the electromagnetic spectrum that is visible to the human eye (400-700 nm)
  • Ultraviolet (UV) Light: high-energy radiation with wavelengths shorter than visible light (100-400 nm)
  • Infrared (IR) Light: low-energy radiation with wavelengths longer than visible light (700 nm-1 mm)

Reflection and Refraction

  • Reflection: change in direction of light when it bounces off a surface
  • Refraction: bending of light as it passes from one medium to another with a different optical density
  • Snell's Law: describes the relationship between the angles of incidence and refraction

Interference and Diffraction

  • Interference: superposition of light waves resulting in constructive and destructive patterns
  • Diffraction: bending of light around obstacles or through small openings
  • Young's Double-Slit Experiment: demonstrates the principles of interference and diffraction

Speed of Light

  • Constant: approximately 299,792,458 m/s in a vacuum
  • Independence: the speed of light is the same for all observers, regardless of their relative motion

Light

Definition and Properties

  • Electromagnetic radiation with transverse wave characteristics, meaning electric and magnetic field vectors vibrate perpendicular to the direction of propagation
  • Exhibits both wave-like and particle-like properties (wave-particle duality)

Types of Light

  • Visible Light: 400-700 nm wavelengths, visible to the human eye
  • Ultraviolet (UV) Light: 100-400 nm wavelengths, high-energy radiation
  • Infrared (IR) Light: 700 nm-1 mm wavelengths, low-energy radiation

Light Interactions

Reflection and Refraction

  • Reflection: light bounces off a surface, changing direction
  • Refraction: light bends when passing from one medium to another with a different optical density
  • Snell's Law: relates angles of incidence and refraction

Light Interactions

Interference and Diffraction

  • Interference: superposition of light waves, resulting in constructive and destructive patterns
  • Diffraction: light bends around obstacles or through small openings
  • Young's Double-Slit Experiment: demonstrates interference and diffraction principles

Speed of Light

  • Constant: approximately 299,792,458 m/s in a vacuum
  • Independence: speed of light remains the same for all observers, regardless of relative motion

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