Light Waves

Front

What is a mechanical wave?

Back

A mechanical wave is a wave that requires a medium (solid, liquid, or gas) to travel through.

Front

What is an electromagnetic wave?

Back

An electromagnetic wave is a wave that can travel through a vacuum and does not require a medium.

Front

Can light waves travel through a vacuum?

Back

Yes, light waves can travel through a vacuum.

Front

What is the primary difference between mechanical waves and electromagnetic waves?

Back

The primary difference is that mechanical waves require a medium to travel, while electromagnetic waves do not.

Front

What type of wave is a light wave?

Back

A light wave is an electromagnetic wave.

Front

What is the speed of light in a vacuum?

Back

The speed of light in a vacuum is approximately 299,792 kilometers per second (or about 186,282 miles per second).

Front

What is frequency in the context of waves?

Back

Frequency is the number of waves that pass a given point in one second, measured in hertz (Hz).

Front

What is the relationship between wavelength and frequency?

Back

Wavelength and frequency are inversely related; as the wavelength increases, the frequency decreases, and vice versa.

Front

What is the formula for calculating the speed of a wave?

Back

The speed of a wave can be calculated using the formula: speed = frequency × wavelength.

Front

What is the wavelength of a light wave?

Back

The wavelength of a light wave is the distance between successive peaks of the wave, typically measured in nanometers (nm).