Properties of Light Quiz

Study Notes

Wave-Particle Duality: Light exhibits both wave-like and particle-like behavior depending on how it is observed.
Speed: The speed of light in a vacuum is approximately 299,792,458 meters per second (m/s).
Frequency and Wavelength: Light has a frequency (number of oscillations per second) and a wavelength (distance between oscillations).

Visible Light: Electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths between approximately 400-700 nanometers (nm), visible to the human eye.
Invisible Light: Electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths shorter than 400 nm (ultraviolet) or longer than 700 nm (infrared).
Electromagnetic Spectrum: The range of electromagnetic radiation, including gamma rays, X-rays, ultraviolet, visible, infrared, microwaves, and radio waves.

Reflection: Light bounces back from a surface, following the law of reflection (angle of incidence equals angle of reflection).
Refraction: Light bends as it passes from one medium to another, following Snell's law.
Diffraction: Light bends around an obstacle or through a small opening.
Absorption: Light is absorbed by a material, converting its energy into heat or other forms.
Transmission: Light passes through a material, continuing its path with little or no change.

Incandescent: Produces light through heat, such as light bulbs.
Luminescent: Produces light through energy excitation, such as LEDs and neon signs.
Lasers: Produces coherent, directional light through stimulated emission.

Total Internal Reflection: Light is completely reflected back into the medium when it reaches a certain angle.
Polarization: Light waves vibrate in a specific plane, which can be filtered or altered.
Interference: Light waves overlap, resulting in constructive (brighter) or destructive (darker) patterns.

Wave-particle duality is a fundamental property of light, exhibiting both wave-like and particle-like behavior depending on observation.
The speed of light in a vacuum is approximately 299,792,458 meters per second (m/s).

Light has a frequency (number of oscillations per second) and a wavelength (distance between oscillations).
Frequency and wavelength are inversely proportional, as one increases, the other decreases.

Visible light has a wavelength between approximately 400-700 nanometers (nm), visible to the human eye.
Invisible light includes ultraviolet (wavelengths shorter than 400 nm) and infrared (wavelengths longer than 700 nm) radiation.
The electromagnetic spectrum includes gamma rays, X-rays, ultraviolet, visible, infrared, microwaves, and radio waves.

Reflection occurs when light bounces back from a surface, following the law of reflection (angle of incidence equals angle of reflection).
Refraction occurs when light bends as it passes from one medium to another, following Snell's law.
Diffraction occurs when light bends around an obstacle or through a small opening.
Absorption occurs when light is absorbed by a material, converting its energy into heat or other forms.
Transmission occurs when light passes through a material, continuing its path with little or no change.

Incandescent light sources produce light through heat, such as light bulbs.
Luminescent light sources produce light through energy excitation, such as LEDs and neon signs.
Lasers produce coherent, directional light through stimulated emission.

Total internal reflection occurs when light is completely reflected back into the medium when it reaches a certain angle.
Polarization occurs when light waves vibrate in a specific plane, which can be filtered or altered.
Interference occurs when light waves overlap, resulting in constructive (brighter) or destructive (darker) patterns.