Scientific Terminology

Question 1

Light

Answer 1

Energy called photons

Question 2

Electromagnetic wave

Answer 2

A wave that has both electric and magnetic parts, does not require a medium and travels at the speed of light. Also a stream of photons, each traveling in a wave-like pattern, carrying energy and moving at the speed of light.

Question 3

Radio waves

Answer 3

A type of electromagnetic radiation. It has a much longer wavelength than visible light and much lower energy

Question 4

Microwaves

Answer 4

A type of electromagnetic radiation. It has a slightly longer wavelength than visible light and slightly lower energy

Question 5

Infrared waves

Answer 5

A type of electromagnetic radiation. It has a longer wavelength than visible light and lower energy

Question 6

Visible light

Answer 6

Rainbow, middle of all ROYGBIV

Question 7

Ultraviolet light

Answer 7

A type of electromagnetic radiation. It has a slightly shorter wavelength than visible light and slightly higher energy

Question 8

X-rays

Answer 8

A type of electromagnetic radiation. It has a shorter wavelength than visible light and higher energy

Question 9

Gamma rays

Answer 9

A type of electromagnetic radiation. It has a much shorter wavelength than visible light and much higher energy

Question 10

Incandescent light

Answer 10

The production of light because of high temperatures. It changes colors based on how hot it is. It changes color from red, to orange, to yellow, to white, and then to bluish-white.

Question 11

Electrical discharge

Answer 11

The process of producing light by passing an electric current through a gas. This causes it to glow (ex. Neon Lights)

Question 12

Phosphorescence

Answer 12

Absorbing ultraviolet light to turn into visible light over a long time (ex. Glow in the dark)

Question 13

Fluorescence

Answer 13

Absorbing ultraviolet light to turn into visible light instantly

Question 14

Chemiluminescence

Answer 14

Production of light as a result of a chemical reaction with little to no heat (ex. glow sticks)

Question 15

Bioluminescence

Answer 15

Production of light as a result of a chemical reaction with little to no heat in a living organism (ex. jellyfish and firefly)

Question 16

Triboluminescence

Answer 16

Creation of light because of friction as a result of scratching, crushing, or rubbing certain crystals. (ex. lifesavers)

Question 17

LEDs

Answer 17

Light emitting diode is an electronic device that uses semiconductors that allows current to flow in one direction.

Question 18

Laws of reflection

Answer 18

The incident ray, the reflected ray and the normal all lie in the same plane

Angle of Reflection = Angle of Incidence

Question 19

Specular reflection

Answer 19

Reflection of light off of a smooth surface (Clear reflection of image)

Question 20

Diffused reflection

Answer 20

The reflected of light off of a irregular or dull surface (Makes the image blurry)

Question 21

Refraction

Answer 21

A property of light in which the speed and direction of light changes.

Question 22

The angle of refraction

Answer 22

The angle between the normal and a refracted ray.

Question 23

Index of Refraction

Answer 23

Used to solve for the speed of light and vice versa

Question 24

Dispersion

Answer 24

The process of separating colors by refraction.

Question 25

Total Internal Reflection

Answer 25

When the incident angle exceeds the critical angle, causing the incident light to reflect into its original medium

Question 26

Critical angle

Answer 26

The angle of incidence that forms a refracted angle of 90 degrees