More Light Interactions

Front

Wave Noun

---

[wayv]

Back

Wave

---

A repeating disturbance pattern that transfers energy from one location to another without transferring any matter.

---

Example: This diagram shows a wave and labels its key parts: the highest point (crest), the lowest point (trough), its height (amplitude), and its length (wavelength).

Front

Wavelength Noun

---

[wayv-length]

Back

Wavelength

---

The distance between two corresponding points on a repeating wave, such as the distance from one crest to the next.

---

Example: This diagram shows a wave and labels the wavelength as the distance from the top of one wave (crest) to the top of the next.

Front

Refract Verb

---

[ri-frakt]

Back

Refract

---

To bend a wave as it passes from one medium to another due to a change in its speed.

---

Example: When light travels from air into water, it bends, making the straws in the glass look broken or bent at the water's surface.

Front

Absorb Verb

---

[ab-sorb]

Back

Absorb

---

To take in energy, such as light, which is then often converted into another form like thermal energy.

---

Example: A plant's roots absorb water from the soil, and its leaves absorb sunlight and carbon dioxide from the air to make food.

Front

Reflect Verb

---

[ri-flekt]

Back

Reflect

---

To bounce a wave, such as light, off the surface of a material, causing it to change direction.

---

Example: A light ray from a source hits a mirror and bounces off, showing how the angle of incidence equals the angle of reflection.

Front

Transmit Verb

---

[trans-mit]

Back

Transmit

---

To allow a wave, such as light, to pass through a material without being absorbed or reflected.

---

Example: Moving a spring up and down transmits energy along its length, creating a wave that travels from the hand to the wall.

Front

Energy Noun

---

[en-er-jee]

Back

Energy

---

The capacity to do work or cause change, which can be transferred between objects or converted into different forms.

---

Example: A diver has potential energy on the board, which converts to kinetic energy (the energy of motion) as they fall towards the water.

Front

Light Noun

---

[lite]

Back

Light

---

A form of electromagnetic radiation that travels in waves and is visible to the human eye.

---

Example: This diagram shows that visible light is a spectrum of colors, each with a different wavelength, from shorter-wavelength violet to longer-wavelength red.

Front

Light Source Noun

---

[lite sors]

Back

Light Source

---

An object that produces and sends out its own light, rather than only reflecting light from another source.

---

Example: A light source is an object that produces its own light, which travels in straight lines until it hits an object.

Front

Emit Verb

---

[i-mit]

Back

Emit

---

To produce and discharge something, especially light or another form of energy, from a source.

---

Example: When the switch closes the circuit, electricity from the battery causes the light bulb to emit, or give off, energy as light.