Light Notes Flashcards
What is light?
Light is a form of energy. The sun is a natural light source, as well as stars, and sparks, and fire.
What does light do?
Light spreads out or radiates in all directions. Light that travels by radiation is called radiant energy.
What are some examples of things that take energy to produce light.
-chemical energy on a match
-thermal energy due to absorption of light
-electrical energy from solar cells of batteries
The brightness or intensity of light is the…
Amount of energy a surface will receive.
Does light travel in straight lines?
Yes. Light travels in straight lines in all directions from its source until the light strikes something. Light behaves differently when it strikes something.
Transparent: light an travel through so that objects behind can be distinctly noticed. Examples: windshield, window, glass cup etc
Translucent: allowing light but not detailed shaped to pass through, aka, semitransparent. Example: stained glass, sheer curtains, plastic and tissue paper.
Opaque: not able to be seen through, and not transparent. Light can reflect off of these objects. Examples: plastic, wood, stone, ceramic
What are similarities that a light bulb and the sun has?
Both are bright, provide heat (some lightbulbs), help plants grow (some lightbulbs), charge solar panels.
What is bioluminescence?
Bioluminescence is light emitted by living things through chemical reactions in their bodies.
What is energy that travels by radiation called?
Radiant energy.
What’s the process that happens when light leaves the sun?
Nuclear fusion.
What is a luminous object?
A luminous object is a object that produces their own light energy. Examples of this are the sun, a glowing light bulb, and a burning candle.
What is a non-luminous object?
A non-luminous object is an object that doesn’t produce their own light energy. Most objects are non-luminous. They can only be seen when light from a light source strikes the object and reflects off the object into your eyes.
What’s the first property of light?
Light is a form of energy. When light is absorbed by a surface, it can be transformed into several different forms of energy. It can be transformed into thermal energy, electrical energy, or chemical energy.
What’s the second property of light?
Light travels in straight lines from its source. An example of this could be when someone stands in front of you during a movie. You wont be able to see the movie because light doesn’t bend around the person to reach your eyes.
What does opaque mean?
An opaque material doesn’t allow light to pass through them. They block the path of the light. Opaque objects can produce shadows when light strikes them.
What is transparent?
You can look through a transparent surface to see the light source clearly on the other side. Transparent materials allow light to pass through them.
