Chapter 6 - Interactions Between Light and Matter Flashcards
what is light? definition and composition/structure
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION, oscillating electric and magnetic fields
in vacuum travels at the speed of light (surprise), 3 x 10^8 m/s
generally composed of electric field component and magnetic field component, same direction but perpendicular to each other. Same wavelength
speed of light
3 x 10^8 m/s OR more precisely 2.998 x 10^8
what proved that light behaves as a wave?
1801 observed that light undergoes diffraction and interference when travelling through small slits
equation relating wavelength frequency and speed of electromagnetic wave
c = frequency (italic v) * wavelength
c is speed of light
equation relating wavelength frequency and speed of electromagnetic wave
c = frequency (italic v) * wavelength
c is speed of light
*same equation as velocity = wavelength * frequency
monochromatic waves
light consisting only of waves with the same wavelength
coherent light & example
light w/ same wavelength AND produced at the same time ex laser
incoherent light
different wavelengths and/or produced at different moments of time ex. a lightbulb
so light can be monochromatic and incoherent (same wavelength but prod at different times, or monochromatic and coherent)
linearly polarized light
waves with electric and magnetic field components vibrating on the same plane (also plane waves)
formed passing unpolarized light through polarizer which only allows light with waves in a certain orientation through
should you assume light is polarized?
NO, unpolarized
what range of wavelengths can our eyes detect?
visible light, 390 to 760 nm
approx wavelength/frequency range radio waves (dont necessarily need to memorize)
frequency approx 10^4 - 10^10 s^(-1)
wavelength approx 10^4 - 10^-2 m
approx wavelength/frequency range microwaves (dont necessarily need to memorize)
frequency approx 10^9 - 10^11 s^(-1)
wavelength approx 10^1 - 10^-3 m
approx wavelength/frequency range infrared (dont necessarily need to memorize)
frequency approx 10^11 - 10^15 s^(-1)
wavelength approx 10^-3 - 10^-6 m
approx wavelength/frequency range ultraviolet (dont necessarily need to memorize)
frequency approx 10^15 - 10^17 s^(-1)
wavelength approx 10^-6 - 10^-9 m
approx wavelength/frequency range xrays (dont necessarily need to memorize)
frequency approx 10^17 - 10^21 s^(-1)
wavelength approx 10^-9 - 10^-13 m
approx wavelength/frequency range gamma rays (dont necessarily need to memorize)
frequency approx 10^19 - 10^24 s^(-1)
wavelength approx 10^4-11- 10^-16 m
different types of light organized from lowest frequency and largest wavelength to highest f and lowest wavelength
radio, microwave, infrared, visible, ultraviolet, x-rays, gamma rays