Light Flashcards
____ - A self-propagating TRANSVERSE wave that consists of mutually supporting electric and magnetic fields (also known as electromagnetic radiation)
Light
Since light is self-propagating, it can travel in a _____
Vacuum
____ ____ travel at approximately 3 x 10^8 m/s in a VACUUM
Light waves
Instead of v we use _ in the speed of light. So c = f(wavelength)
c
The wavelength of a light wave is usually measured in _____
Nanometers (nm)
_ nanometer = 1x10^-9 meters
1 nanometer (Ex: 500 meters x 1x10^-9)
When light waves travel from one medium to another the speed ____ but the frequency ___
Changes
Stays the same
Since c = f(wavelength) and this means that wavelength also ____
Changes
Light moves on its own so as density increases, the speed of light ____
Decreases
Light waves travel faster through __ than ___ and ___
Air
Than liquids and solids
In the EM spectrum all light waves travel at the ___ speed but the light wavelength, frequency, and energy vary
Same
Purple light has the ____ frequency and ___ wavelength
Highest frequency
Shortest wavelength
Red has the ___ frequency and the ___ wavelength
Lowest frequency
Longest wavelength
The wavelengths of ____ ___ range is 400-700 nm
Visible light range
Gamma rays have the ____ wavelength
Shortest wavelength
Radio waves have the _____ wavelength
Longest wavelength
____ - The slight bending of light as it passes an edge of an obstacle or an aperture (slit or small opening. Size depends on how much the light bends)
Diffraction
The smaller the size of the slit, the ____ light bends
Less
The larger the size of the slit is the __ the light bends
More
The ____ slit provides two coherent monochromatic sources that produce an interference pattern of light and dark bands or spots
Double slit
The more slits, the ____ spots in between the light
More
Light is ____ if it hits a surface and bounces off rather than being transmitted through
Reflected
____ (____) reflection- reflection off a smooth surface. (Sun reflecting off water as itself)
Plane (Spectacular) Reflection
____ reflection - Reflection of light into many directions by rough surfaces. (Sun reflecting off water with many ripples. Goes in many different directions)
Diffuse reflection