Light Waves

Front

Photon Noun

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[foh-ton]

Back

Photon

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A single packet or particle of light energy, which is the fundamental unit of all electromagnetic radiation.

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Example: The image shows how photon energy varies across the electromagnetic spectrum, from gamma rays to radio waves.

Front

Electromagnetic wave Noun

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[eh-lek-troh-mag-net-ik wayv]

Back

Electromagnetic wave

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A wave of energy consisting of oscillating electric and magnetic fields that can travel through a vacuum.

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Example: The image shows the electromagnetic spectrum, highlighting different waves like visible light, which travel through space.

Front

Ray Noun

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[ray]

Back

Ray

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A straight line used as a simplified model to represent the path that light travels.

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Example: A flashlight shines on a mirror, showing how light rays reflect at equal angles.

Front

Light Source Noun

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[lyt sors]

Back

Light Source

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Any object, natural or artificial, that produces and emits its own visible light energy.

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Example: A light bulb emits light when powered by a battery, showing it as a light source.

Front

Reflection Noun

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[ri-flek-shun]

Back

Reflection

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The change in direction of a wavefront, such as light, at an interface between two different media.

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Example: A light ray hits a mirror and reflects off, showing angles of incidence and reflection.

Front

Normal line Noun

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[nor-muhl lyn]

Back

Normal line

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An imaginary line drawn perpendicular to a surface at the point where a light ray strikes it.

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Example: The image shows a light ray hitting a mirror with a normal line perpendicular to the surface, illustrating reflection.

Front

Angle of incidence Noun

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[ang-guhl uv in-si-dens]

Back

Angle of incidence

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The angle measured between an incoming light ray and the normal line to the surface it hits.

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Example: The image shows a light ray hitting a mirror, illustrating the angle of incidence with clear labels.

Front

Angle of reflection Noun

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[ang-guhl uv ri-flek-shun]

Back

Angle of reflection

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The angle measured between a reflected light ray and the normal line to the surface it bounces off.

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Example: The diagram shows how light reflects off a mirror, with angles of incidence and reflection labeled.

Front

Refraction Noun

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[ri-frak-shun]

Back

Refraction

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The bending of a wave as it changes speed when passing from one medium to another.

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Example: A diagram showing how light bends when it moves from air to water, illustrating refraction.

Front

Electromagnetic spectrum Noun

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[eh-lek-troh-mag-net-ik spek-trum]

Back

Electromagnetic spectrum

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The complete range of all types of electromagnetic radiation, ordered by wavelength or frequency.

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Example: The image shows the electromagnetic spectrum, highlighting visible light and its position among other types of radiation.