16 Questions
The distance between two consecutive peaks or troughs of a light wave is called the ______.
wavelength
Light travels as a ______ through a medium, such as air, water, or glass.
wave
The speed of light is approximately ______ meters per second in a vacuum.
299,792,458
Objects that give off their own light, such as stars, lamps, and fires, are called ______ objects.
luminous
When light interacts with matter, it can be ______ by the material.
absorbed
The ______ of a wave is the maximum displacement of the wave from its equilibrium position.
amplitude
Light is a form of ______ radiation, which is a combination of electric and magnetic fields.
electromagnetic
When light passes from one medium to another with a different optical density, it undergoes ______.
refraction
The distance between two consecutive peaks or troughs of the wave is called the ______.
wavelength
The number of oscillations or cycles of the wave per second is called ______.
frequency
The time taken by the wave to complete one oscillation or cycle is called the ______.
period
The distance traveled by the wave per unit time is called the ______.
speed
The relative position of the wave at a given point in time is called the ______.
phase
The angle at which the incident light hits the surface is equal to the angle at which it is ______.
reflected
The line perpendicular to the reflective surface that helps to define the angle of incidence and reflection is called the ______.
normal
The type of reflection that occurs at a specific angle is called ______ reflection.
specular
Study Notes
Properties of Light
- Wavelength: The distance between two consecutive peaks or troughs of a light wave.
- Frequency: The number of oscillations or cycles of a light wave per second.
- Speed: The speed of light is approximately 299,792,458 meters per second (m/s) in a vacuum.
How Light Travels
- Wave theory: Light travels as a wave through a medium, such as air, water, or glass.
- Electromagnetic radiation: Light is a form of electromagnetic radiation, which is a combination of electric and magnetic fields.
- Refraction: Light bends as it passes from one medium to another with a different optical density.
- Reflection: Light bounces off a surface without being absorbed or transmitted.
- Diffraction: Light bends around an obstacle or through a narrow opening.
Luminous vs. Non-Luminous Objects
- Luminous objects: Give off their own light, such as stars, lamps, and fires.
- Non-luminous objects: Do not give off their own light, but may reflect or transmit light from other sources.
Sources of Light
- Natural sources: Sun, Moon, Stars, and Lighting.
- Artificial sources: Television, Light Bulb, and other man-made light sources.
Key Points to Remember
- Light absorption: When light interacts with matter, it can be absorbed by the material.
- Light scattering: When light interacts with small particles or molecules, it is scattered in all directions.
- Light refraction: When light passes from one medium to another with a different optical density, it bends.
- Total internal reflection: When light hits a surface at a shallow angle and is completely reflected back into the original medium.
Wave-Particle Duality
- Waves: Light exhibits wave-like properties, such as diffraction, refraction, and interference.
- Particles: Light also exhibits particle-like properties, such as having a definite energy and momentum.
Parts of a Wave
- Amplitude: The maximum displacement of the wave from its equilibrium position.
- Wavelength (λ): The distance between two consecutive peaks or troughs of the wave.
- Frequency (f): The number of oscillations or cycles of the wave per second.
- Period (T): The time taken by the wave to complete one oscillation or cycle.
- Speed (v): The distance traveled by the wave per unit time.
- Phase: The relative position of the wave at a given point in time.
Reflection
- Specular Reflection: Occurs on shiny, smooth surfaces (e.g., mirrors, glass), with reflected light rays parallel to each other and the surface.
- Diffuse Reflection: Occurs on rough, non-shiny surfaces (e.g., paper, fabric), with reflected light rays scattered in different directions.
Laws of Reflection
- Law of Reflection: The incident ray, the normal to the surface, and the reflected ray are all in the same plane.
- Angle of Incidence = Angle of Reflection: The angle at which the incident light hits the surface is equal to the angle at which it is reflected.
Key Points to Remember
- The angle of incidence and reflection are equal.
- The normal is perpendicular to both the incident and reflected rays.
- Specular reflection occurs at a specific angle, while diffuse reflection occurs over a range of angles.
Learn about the characteristics of light, including its wavelength, frequency, and speed, as well as how it travels through mediums and as electromagnetic radiation.
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