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Questions and Answers
Why does the intuitive notion that light travels in a straight line seem to contradict the fact that light is an electromagnetic wave?
Why does the intuitive notion that light travels in a straight line seem to contradict the fact that light is an electromagnetic wave?
- Light polarization affects its path.
- The wavelength of light is very small compared to the size of ordinary objects. (correct)
- Light behaves differently when passing through different media.
- Light diffraction causes it to appear curved.
What is the wavelength range of electromagnetic radiation that is called light?
What is the wavelength range of electromagnetic radiation that is called light?
- 300 nm to 800 nm
- 350 nm to 650 nm
- 400 nm to 750 nm (correct)
- 450 nm to 700 nm
What is the speed of light in vacuum?
What is the speed of light in vacuum?
- 3.00 × 10^8 m/s
- 2.45 × 10^8 m/s
- 3.50 × 10^8 m/s
- 2.99792458 × 10^8 m/s (correct)
What property of the human eye allows it to detect electromagnetic waves within a small range of the spectrum?
What property of the human eye allows it to detect electromagnetic waves within a small range of the spectrum?
What is the highest speed attainable in nature?
What is the highest speed attainable in nature?
What is the wavelength range of electromagnetic radiation that is called light?
What is the wavelength range of electromagnetic radiation that is called light?
What is the speed of light in vacuum?
What is the speed of light in vacuum?
Why does the intuitive notion that light travels in a straight line seem to contradict what has been learnt about light as an electromagnetic wave?
Why does the intuitive notion that light travels in a straight line seem to contradict what has been learnt about light as an electromagnetic wave?
What is the accepted value for the speed of light in vacuum?
What is the accepted value for the speed of light in vacuum?
What property of the human eye allows it to detect electromagnetic waves within a small range of the spectrum?
What property of the human eye allows it to detect electromagnetic waves within a small range of the spectrum?
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Study Notes
Properties of Light and Electromagnetic Waves
- Light travels in straight lines due to its wave nature, which can appear contradictory. However, in regions of uniform media, light follows predictable paths consistent with its wave characteristics.
- Electromagnetic (EM) waves, including light, can bend or refract when changing media, which influences perceived direction but does not negate the straight-line travel in homogeneous environments.
Wavelength of Light
- The wavelength range of electromagnetic radiation categorized as light is approximately 380 to 750 nanometers (nm). This range encompasses visible light that is detectable by the human eye.
Speed of Light
- The speed of light in a vacuum is universally accepted as approximately 299,792 kilometers per second (km/s), a fundamental constant denoted as 'c'.
Human Eye and Light Detection
- The human eye can detect electromagnetic waves in the visible spectrum thanks to specialized photoreceptor cells called cones. There are three types of cones sensitive to different wavelengths, allowing for color vision.
Limits of Speed in Nature
- The highest speed attainable in nature is the speed of light in vacuum, approximately 299,792 km/s. Nothing with mass can achieve or exceed this speed, according to the principles of relativity.
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