Behavior of Light

Front

Mechanical Wave Noun

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[muh-kan-i-kuhl wayv]

Back

Mechanical Wave

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A wave that requires a medium to travel through in order to transmit energy from one place to another.

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Example: This image shows that mechanical waves are disturbances that transfer energy through a physical medium, using examples like water, a rope, and a spring.

Front

Electromagnetic Wave Noun

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

Back

Electromagnetic Wave

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A wave composed of oscillating electric and magnetic fields that can travel through a vacuum without a medium.

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Example: This diagram shows energy, in the form of electromagnetic waves (radiation), traveling from the Sun through the vacuum of space to reach the Earth.

Front

Medium Noun

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[mee-dee-uhm]

Back

Medium

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A substance or material that makes the transfer of energy possible, especially for mechanical waves.

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Example: This diagram shows that some waves, like sound, require a medium (matter) to travel, while other waves, like light, can travel through a vacuum.

Front

Photon Noun

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[foh-ton]

Back

Photon

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A particle representing a quantum of light or other electromagnetic radiation, which carries energy proportional to its frequency.

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Example: A photon, a particle of light, carries energy and can knock an electron out of a metal surface when it hits.

Front

Frequency Noun

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[free-kwuhn-see]

Back

Frequency

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The number of waves that pass a given point in a specific period of time, typically measured in Hertz.

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Example: This diagram shows that light waves with high frequency, like gamma rays, are packed closely together, while waves with low frequency, like radio waves, are spread far apart.

Front

Wavelength Noun

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[wayv-length]

Back

Wavelength

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The distance between corresponding points of successive waves, such as the distance from one crest to the next.

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

Front

Electromagnetic Spectrum Noun

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[ih-lek-troh-mag-net-ik spek-truhm]

Back

Electromagnetic Spectrum

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The entire range of all possible frequencies and wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation, organized by energy level.

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Example: This diagram shows the electromagnetic spectrum, arranging different types of light and energy waves, from long radio waves to short gamma rays.

Front

Visible Light Noun

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[viz-uh-buhl lite]

Back

Visible Light

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The portion of the electromagnetic spectrum that is visible to and can be detected by the human eye.

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Example: This diagram shows the visible light spectrum, where light is composed of different colors from violet to red, each corresponding to a specific wavelength.

Front

Transmission Noun

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[trans-mish-uhn]

Back

Transmission

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The process of a wave passing through a medium or object without being absorbed or reflected.

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Example: A light wave passes from the air through a glass of water, demonstrating transmission as the light travels through a new medium.

Front

Refraction Noun

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[ri-frak-shuhn]

Back

Refraction

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The bending or change in direction of a wave as it passes from one medium into another.

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Example: This image shows how a light ray bends (refracts) when passing from a less dense medium (air) to a more dense one (water), which is why the pencil appears bent.