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Properties of Light

Lesson 1
(2 hours)
Properties of Light
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ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVE
Energy-carrying wave emitted by
vibrating charges (often electrons) that is
composed of oscillating electric and
magnetic fields that regenerate one
another.
Properties of Light
• Light is a form of electromagnetic wave
• Other electromagnetic waves include:
– Radio waves
– Microwaves
– Infrared rays
– Ultraviolet rays
– X-rays
– Gamma rays
Properties of Light
Word bank
ELECTROMAGNETIC SPECTRUM
Range of frequencies over which
electromagnetic waves can be propagated
(from radio waves to gamma rays)
Properties of Light
Word bank
FREQUENCY (f)
• The number of vibrations per unit time
• The number of crests that pass a
particular point per unit time
• Measured in hertz (Hz)
Properties of Light
Word bank
WAVELENGTH (λ)
• Distance between successive crests,
troughs or any identical parts of a wave
• Measured in meters (m)
crests
wavelength

troughs
Properties of Light
• The frequency of light ranges from
4.3 x 1014 Hz to 7.5 x 1014 Hz
– This frequency range is completely referred to
as VISIBLE LIGHT
– Frequencies lower and higher than that of
visible light is INVISIBLE to human eyes

• The speed of light in vacuum is constant (as for


all electromagnetic waves) and is equal to
3.0 x 108 m/s
CONCEPT CHECK
• Which electromagnetic wave has the
lowest frequency?
• Which electromagnetic has the highest
frequency?
• Which electromagnetic wave has the
shortest wavelength?
• Which electromagnetic wave has the
longest wavelength?
Properties of Light
WAVE EQUATION
An equation relating the physical
quantities: WAVE SPEED (v),
WAVELENGTH (λ) and FREQUENCY (f)

wave speed = wavelength x frequency


or
v = λf
Properties of Light
EXAMPLE
Determine the wavelength of the radio
wave used to broadcast radio signals at
frequency 96.3 MHz (Megahertz).
Given:
f = 96.3 MHz = 96.3 x 106 Hz
v = 3.0 x 108 m/s (Speed of all electromagnetic waves)
λ=?
Properties of Light
SOLUTION
λ = v/f
= (3.0 x 108 m/s)/(96.3 x 106 Hz)
= 3.12 m
YOUR TURN
Determine the frequency of red light if its
wavelength is equal to 700 nm
(nanometers)
Hint: You have to convert nanometers to meters
before you use the wave equation
SOLUTION
f = v/λ
= (3.0 x 108 m/s)/(700 x 10-9 m)
= 4.3 x 1014 Hz
Properties of Light
COLOR
• How we see things depend on how the
objects respond to incoming light
• When white light strikes an object, some
of the light is absorbed
• The unabsorbed frequencies are those
that bounce off the objects and reach
our eyes
Properties of Light
COLOR
White light is composed of 7 spectral
colors: red, orange, yellow, green, blue,
indigo and violet
CONCEPT CHECK
• What happens when we see objects as
black?
• What do you think happens to the
frequencies of light for objects that are
colored pink, mint green or brown?
Properties of Light
TRANSMISSION
• When light is incident on an object and
most of it passes through without any
distortion, then the material is considered
transparent (Ex: Glass, water, air)
Properties of Light
TRANSMISSION
• When light passes through a material but
is scattered in the process so you cannot
see clearly through them, then the
material is considered translucent (Ex:
Frosted glass, paper)
Properties of Light
TRANSMISSION
• Some materials do not allow light to pass
through them at all. These materials are
considered opaque (Ex: Concrete wall,
wood)

Creates a dark area behind the


object called a shadow

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