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Properties of Light
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Properties of Light

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Questions and Answers

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.

<p>luminous</p> Signup and view all the answers

When light interacts with matter, it can be ______ by the material.

<p>absorbed</p> Signup and view all the answers

The ______ of a wave is the maximum displacement of the wave from its equilibrium position.

<p>amplitude</p> Signup and view all the answers

Light is a form of ______ radiation, which is a combination of electric and magnetic fields.

<p>electromagnetic</p> Signup and view all the answers

When light passes from one medium to another with a different optical density, it undergoes ______.

<p>refraction</p> Signup and view all the answers

The distance between two consecutive peaks or troughs of the wave is called the ______.

<p>wavelength</p> Signup and view all the answers

The number of oscillations or cycles of the wave per second is called ______.

<p>frequency</p> Signup and view all the answers

The time taken by the wave to complete one oscillation or cycle is called the ______.

<p>period</p> Signup and view all the answers

The distance traveled by the wave per unit time is called the ______.

<p>speed</p> Signup and view all the answers

The relative position of the wave at a given point in time is called the ______.

<p>phase</p> Signup and view all the answers

The angle at which the incident light hits the surface is equal to the angle at which it is ______.

<p>reflected</p> Signup and view all the answers

The line perpendicular to the reflective surface that helps to define the angle of incidence and reflection is called the ______.

<p>normal</p> Signup and view all the answers

The type of reflection that occurs at a specific angle is called ______ reflection.

<p>specular</p> Signup and view all the answers

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.

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Description

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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