14 Questions
What is the result of mixing a primary colour and its complementary colour?
White light
What happens to the wavelengths of light when white light hits an object?
Some are absorbed and some are reflected
Why does an object appear black if the light shining on it does not contain the wavelengths it naturally reflects?
Because it does not reflect any light
What is the process called when white light is split into its constituent colours?
Dispersion
What is the purpose of using recombination and a second prism in relation to dispersion?
To revert the splitting up of light
What happens to the direction of vibration in a polarised wave?
It is restricted to one plane
What is one practical use of polarisation in everyday life?
In polarised sunglasses to see beneath the surface of a fluid
What is the phenomenon where a wave spreads out into its geometric shadow as it passes through a gap or around an obstacle of roughly the same width as its wavelength?
Diffraction
What is formed when two or more waves from different sources overlap, resulting in a single wave with a different amplitude?
Interference
What is the formula used to calculate the interference patterns in Young's Double Slit Experiment?
nλ = dsinθ
What is the purpose of a spectrometer in measuring the angle between the zero order image and observed image?
To measure θ
What is the term for the separation of different wavelengths of light into distinct categories?
Electromagnetic spectrum
What is responsible for the corrosion of the ozone layer, which prevents ultraviolet light from reaching the Earth?
CFCs (Chlorofluorocarbons)
What are the three primary colors of light that can be combined to produce white light?
Red, Green, and Blue
Study Notes
Wave Nature of Light
- Diffraction: spreading of a wave into its geometric shadow as it passes through a gap or around an obstacle of roughly the same width as its wavelength.
- Interference: overlap of two or more waves from different sources, forming a single resultant wave of different amplitude.
Young's Double Slit Experiment
- Demonstrates constructive and destructive interference of light waves.
- Formula: nλ = dsinθ, used in calculations involving interference patterns.
- n: order of diffracted image, λ: wavelength of light source, d: grating constant, θ: angle between zero order image and observed image.
Spectrometer
- Instrument used to measure θ, the angle between zero order image and observed image.
- Consists of various parts (not specified).
Electromagnetic Spectrum
- Differing wavelengths of light are separated into different categories.
- Includes ultraviolet light, X-rays, visible light, infrared radiation, and others.
Ozone Layer and UV Light
- Ozone layer surrounding the earth prevents ultraviolet light, which causes cancer, from reaching earth.
- Corrosion of the ozone layer occurs due to CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons).
Infrared Radiation
- Used in night vision by law enforcement and militaries, as well as medical imaging.
Colour Production
- White light can be produced by combining three primary colours of equal intensity: Red, Green, and Blue.
- All other colours can be produced by combining the three primary colours in varying ratios.
- Complementary colours: produced by mixing a primary colour and the opposite secondary colour, resulting in white light.
Colour and Reflection
- When white light hits an object, some wavelengths are absorbed and some are reflected.
- Object's "colour" is made up of the reflected wavelengths.
- If light shining on the object does not contain wavelengths that the object naturally reflects, then it appears black.
Dispersion
- Splitting up of white light into its constituent colours.
- Can be reverted by using recombination and a second prism.
Polarisation
- Restriction of the direction of vibration to one plane.
- Used in polarised sunglasses, which help see beneath the surface of a fluid.
- Also used in testing the internal stress of materials.
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