Unit 8 Flashcards
Angle of Incidence
angle at which a light ray arrives at or strikes a surface
Blueshift
the apparent shift in frequency of an electromagnetic wave toward the shorter-wavelength (blue) end of the visible spectrum observed when an object is moving away from an observer
Color
an attribute of things that results from the light they reflect, transmit, or emit, to the extent that the light causes a visual sensation dependent on the wavelengths of the visible light
Electromagnetic
of waves, consisting of vibrating electric and magnetic fields, the field energy of which radiates outward at the speed of light
Electromagnetic Radiation
\ih-LEK-troh-mag-NEH-tik\
waves of energy associated with electric and magnetic fields; results from the acceleration of an electric charge
Electromagnetic Spectrum
the entire range of electromagnetic radiation, from the longest wavelengths to the shortest wavelengths
Electromagnetic Waves
a wave consisting of vibrating electric and magnetic fields, the field energy of which radiates outward at the speed of light
Index of Refraction
gives the amount of refraction occurring for light passing from one medium to another; also refractive index
Light Ray
a straight line that represents the path of light
Light-Year
the distance that light travels through space in one earth year; light travels through space at a speed of 186,000 miles per second
Normal
in reflection and refraction of light, refers to a line perpendicular to the surface of incidence
Optics
the study of the physical properties of light; in physics, the science of the propagation of light
Photon
a particle of electromagnetic energy
Prism
\PRIH-zuhm\
a wedge-shaped transparent body that causes incident light to be separated by color on the light´s exit from it
Redshift
the apparent shift in frequency of an electromagnetic wave toward the longer-wavelength (red) end of the visible spectrum observed when an object is moving away from an observer
Reflection
process whereby light bounces back from an object at the same angle and intensity that the object received it
Refraction
the bending of light as it moves from one medium to another
Vaccum
space without matter; absence of pressure
Wave
a disturbance that travels through a medium transporting energy from one location to another location
