Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is the major source of light in the world?
What is the major source of light in the world?
What happens when a light beam meets a new material at an angle other than perpendicular?
What happens when a light beam meets a new material at an angle other than perpendicular?
What happens when a light photon is absorbed by a single molecule?
What happens when a light photon is absorbed by a single molecule?
What is the property of light that allows it to be focused?
What is the property of light that allows it to be focused?
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What is the term for the ratio of the speed of light in a vacuum to its speed in a given material?
What is the term for the ratio of the speed of light in a vacuum to its speed in a given material?
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What is the basis of the use of IR light in medicine?
What is the basis of the use of IR light in medicine?
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What is the term for when a lower energy light photon is emitted after a photon is absorbed?
What is the term for when a lower energy light photon is emitted after a photon is absorbed?
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What is the energy of a photon used for when it is absorbed by a molecule?
What is the energy of a photon used for when it is absorbed by a molecule?
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What is the property of light that allows it to bend when passing from one material to another?
What is the property of light that allows it to bend when passing from one material to another?
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What can happen to the energy of a photon when it is absorbed by a molecule?
What can happen to the energy of a photon when it is absorbed by a molecule?
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What is the term for the behavior of light where it acts as both a wave and a particle?
What is the term for the behavior of light where it acts as both a wave and a particle?
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What is the medical use of the heat produced by laser beams?
What is the medical use of the heat produced by laser beams?
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What is the purpose of the chemical change caused by the absorption of a light photon in the retina?
What is the purpose of the chemical change caused by the absorption of a light photon in the retina?
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What is the medical application of the property of light where its energy is used to heat tissues?
What is the medical application of the property of light where its energy is used to heat tissues?
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What is the behavior of light that is the basis of fluorescent light bulbs?
What is the behavior of light that is the basis of fluorescent light bulbs?
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How does the energy of a photon change when it is absorbed by a molecule?
How does the energy of a photon change when it is absorbed by a molecule?
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Study Notes
Light Properties
- The speed of light changes when it passes from one material to another, and this property is described by the index of refraction.
- When light meets a new material at an angle, it bends or is refracted, allowing it to be focused and enabling us to read and see objects clearly.
Wave-Particle Duality
- Light behaves as both a wave and a particle, exhibiting different properties depending on the situation.
- As a wave, light produces interference and diffraction, which are of minor importance in medicine.
- As a particle (photon), light can be absorbed by a single molecule, causing a chemical change and potentially an electrical signal.
Light Absorption and Energy
- When light is absorbed, its energy is often converted into heat, which is the basis for the medical use of IR light to heat tissues.
- The heat produced by laser beams is used to "weld" a detached retina to the back of the eyeball and to coagulate small blood vessels in the retina.
Fluorescence
- When a photon is absorbed, a lower energy light photon is sometimes emitted, a process known as fluorescence.
- Fluorescence is the basis for the fluorescent light bulb, and certain materials exhibit this property.
Light Properties
- The speed of light changes when it passes from one material to another, and this property is described by the index of refraction.
- When light meets a new material at an angle, it bends or is refracted, allowing it to be focused and enabling us to read and see objects clearly.
Wave-Particle Duality
- Light behaves as both a wave and a particle, exhibiting different properties depending on the situation.
- As a wave, light produces interference and diffraction, which are of minor importance in medicine.
- As a particle (photon), light can be absorbed by a single molecule, causing a chemical change and potentially an electrical signal.
Light Absorption and Energy
- When light is absorbed, its energy is often converted into heat, which is the basis for the medical use of IR light to heat tissues.
- The heat produced by laser beams is used to "weld" a detached retina to the back of the eyeball and to coagulate small blood vessels in the retina.
Fluorescence
- When a photon is absorbed, a lower energy light photon is sometimes emitted, a process known as fluorescence.
- Fluorescence is the basis for the fluorescent light bulb, and certain materials exhibit this property.
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Description
This quiz explores the interesting properties of light, its impact on human health, and its applications in medicine. Learn about the speed of light, refraction, and more.
