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Questions and Answers
What is the characteristic of light that distinguishes it from other forms of electromagnetic radiation?
What is the wavelength range of visible light?
What is the phenomenon where light bends as it passes from one medium to another with a different optical density?
What is the law that describes the relationship between the angles of incidence and refraction?
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What is the result of the superposition of light waves?
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What is the experiment that demonstrates the principles of interference and diffraction?
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What is the speed of light in a vacuum?
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What is the property of light that remains constant regardless of the relative motion of the observer?
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What is the characteristic of light that exhibits both wave-like and particle-like properties?
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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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Description
Learn about the definition, properties, and types of light, including visible and ultraviolet light, and its wave-particle duality.
