Optics Flashcards
What is a medium?
Any physical substance that acts as a carrier for transmission of energy
What is radiation?
Is all energy that is transmitted at the speed of light and does not require a medium for transmission.
What is light?
-produced by the sun -we see objects that omit or reflect light -light travels at high speeds in straight lines -Light is a form of electromagnetic radiation that can be seen by the eye -it does not require a medium to pass through
What is an electromagnetic wave?
A wave that is created by the motion of electrically charged particles that has both electric and magnetic parts (electricity & magnetism) All forms of EM radiation travel at the same speed: 300 000 000 metres/second (the speed of light)
What is a wavelength?
The distance between the crests of the wave.
What is a crest?
The highest point of the wave.
What is a trough?
It is the lowest point of the wave.
The greater the wavelength=
The lower the energy light has Ex. Radio waves have greater wavelengths than U.V. Light, therefore, it has less energy than the U.V. light.
What is the electromagnetic spectrum?
Types of electromagnetic radiation that belong in the electromagnetic spectrum are, from highest to lowest wavelength; Radio waves, microwaves, infrared, visible, ultraviolet, X-ray and gamma ray.
What is the function of radio waves?
Cellular communication, t.v., radio, etc
What is the function of microwaves?
Microwave oven, direct communication
Function of infrared light?
Heating, thermal detection and night vision
Function of visible light?
Light bulbs, the sun, human vision, concert lighting, lasers, etc
Uses of ultraviolet light
The sun, tanning beds, magic ink, etc.
Describe the properties of light
-Light reflects off of surfaces -the angle of incidence is equal to the angle of reflection -light travels at 3*10^8 m/s -white light disperses to form roy g biv after it travels through a medium
Virtual vs real images
Virtual: light doesn’t converge Real: when light converges
