11 Questions
Light is a form of ______ radiation, a type of energy that travels through space.
electromagnetic
In the early days, light was described exclusively as a ______ of energy capable of traveling through space.
wave
Wavelength (λ) determines ______ for visible light.
color
Frequency (ν) measures the number of ______ cycles that pass through a stationary point in one second.
wave
There is an ______ relationship between wavelength and frequency.
inverse
The distance between adjacent wave crests (or troughs) is known as the ______.
wavelength
White light, such as sunlight, contains a spectrum of ______ and color.
wavelengths
Each photon carries a certain, discrete amount of light ______, which is dependent on the frequency or wavelength of the light.
energy
The higher the frequency (or shorter the wavelength), the greater the ______ carried per photon.
energy
Light can also be viewed as a stream of ______ called photons.
particles
This is known as the “______ duality nature of light” (i.e., light simultaneously possesses the characteristics of both waves and particles).
wave-particle
Study Notes
Properties of Light
- Light is a form of electromagnetic radiation, a type of energy that travels through space.
Wavelength
- Wavelength (λ) is the distance between adjacent wave crests (or troughs), measured in meters (m).
- In visible light, wavelength determines color.
White Light
- White light (i.e., sunlight) contains a spectrum of wavelengths and color.
Frequency
- Frequency (ν) is the number of wave cycles that pass through a stationary point in one second, measured in s–1.
- There is an inverse relationship between wavelength and frequency.
Light as Electromagnetic Radiation
- Light is a form of energy that travels through space and is a type of electromagnetic radiation.
Wave Characteristics of Light
- Wavelength (λ) is the distance between adjacent wave crests (or troughs) and is measured in meters.
- Wavelength determines the color of visible light.
- White light (i.e., sunlight) contains a spectrum of wavelengths and colors.
Frequency of Light
- Frequency (ν) is the number of wave cycles that pass through a stationary point in one second and is measured in s–1.
- There is an inverse relationship between wavelength and frequency.
Photons and Wave-Particle Duality
- Light can also be viewed as a stream of "particles" called photons.
- Each photon carries a certain, discrete amount of light energy.
- The energy carried per photon depends on the frequency or wavelength of the light.
- The higher the frequency (or shorter the wavelength), the greater the energy carried per photon.
- Light exhibits wave-particle duality, simultaneously possessing the characteristics of both waves and particles, depending on the circumstances.
Test your understanding of light's properties, including wavelength, frequency, and white light. Learn how these concepts relate to electromagnetic radiation and color.
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