Physics Waves and Light Flashcards

Study Notes

Light Waves

Light waves are transverse and part of the electromagnetic spectrum, oscillating with varying frequencies.
Red light has the lowest frequency, while violet has the highest.
Light does not require a medium to travel.

Electromagnetic Spectrum Waves

Radio Waves: Used in radios providing amplitude modulation (AM) and frequency modulation (FM) for sound.
Microwaves: Utilized for heating food; common household microwaves operate using magnetrons.
Radar: Employed by law enforcement and fishermen for detecting objects and tracking fish.
Infrared Waves: Used by police for detection; also in heating lamps to keep food warm.
Visible Light: The only portion of the spectrum visible to humans containing red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet, arranged from slowest to fastest.
Ultraviolet Waves: Invisible to humans and used for sanitizing and sterilization in medical settings.
X-Rays: Medical tool for diagnosing broken bones and examining luggage in airport security.
Gamma Rays: Powerful waves used in medicine for cancer treatment to destroy tumors.

Order of Electromagnetic Spectrum

Waves arranged from slowest to fastest: Radio Waves, Microwaves, Radar, Infrared, Visible Light, Ultraviolet, X-Rays, Gamma Rays, Cosmic Rays.

Properties of Materials

Transparent: Allow light to travel through (e.g., air, clear glass).
Translucent: Permit some light to pass through but scatter it, causing blurred visibility (e.g., frosted glass).
Opaque: Block all light, either reflecting or absorbing it (e.g., wood, metal).

Shadows

Formed when an object obstructs light, casting a shadow in the opposite direction of the light source.

Visible Light Waves

Represent the segment of the electromagnetic spectrum that humans can see, with optimal frequencies for visibility.

Seven Colors of Visible Light

The seven colors are red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet, remembered through the acronym ROY G BIV. Red has the lowest frequency, while violet has the highest.

Description

Explore the concepts of waves and light with this set of flashcards. Learn about the nature of light waves, their properties, and the electromagnetic spectrum. Perfect for understanding the fundamental principles of physics related to wave behavior and light propagation.