What Is Light? Flashcards

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1
Q

A wave is…

A

A disturbance that transfers energy from one point to another without transferring matter.

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2
Q

Crest

A

Highest point of the wave

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3
Q

Trough

A

Lowest point of the wave

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4
Q

The center of a wave (when there are no waves) is called the…

A

Rest position

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5
Q

λ

A
  • Lambda
  • Measured in metres
  • Measures wavelength
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6
Q

a

A
  • Amplitude
  • The absolute wave height from the rest position
  • Value is ALWAYS positive
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7
Q

ƒ

A
  • Frequency
  • Rate of repetition of a wave
  • Measured in Hertz (Hz), which is cycles per second
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8
Q

Light is both…

A

A particle AND a wave

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9
Q

A medium

A
  • Any physical substance (such as air, water and dust) that acts as a carrier for the transmission of energy
  • CARRIES and TRANSMITS
    E.G
  • Sound travels through air particles
  • Water travels through water
  • A rope or slinky can be a medium for waves
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10
Q

Electromagnetic Waves

A
  • Used to describe light because light is made up of oscillating electric AND magnetic waves
  • The electric field goes up and down
  • The magnetic field goes side to side
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11
Q

What is the speed of light?

A

299,792,4583 m/s
OR 2.998 x 10^8 m/s
Referred to as “c”

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12
Q

What are the different wavelengths on the spectrum?

A

Radio waves
Microwaves
Infrared
Ultraviolet (UV)
X-Rays
Gamma rays
Rameil’s Mother Is Visiting Uncle Xavier’s Garden

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13
Q
A
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