The Electromagnetic and Visible Spectra

The Electromagnetic and Visible Spectra

By Stacy King

​Dispersion

Another term for refraction of light​

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​ Wave Behavior

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​Diffraction

Light is not as "flexible" as other waves, like sound, but light can diffract. ​

• wavelength of light is ​shorter than that of sound

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​ Wave Behavior

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1. light travels very fast

2. ​light has a dual nature

3. light travels in straight lines

4. ​light can very in intensity

5. ​light interacts with matter

6. ​white light is composed of many colors

7. ​light carries energy and information

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7 Properties of Light

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Multiple Choice

Which of these is NOT a property of light?

• light travels very fast

• light has a constant intensity

• light carries energy and information

• light acts as both a particle and a wave

​Unlike mechanical waves EM waves are capable of traveling through a vacuum

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Electromagnetic spectrum

​the range of frequencies of EM waves

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most are not visible by the human eye​

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​Electromagnetic Waves

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Multiple Choice

All types of electromagnetic radiation, arranged according to wavelength and frequency.

• Electromagnetic Spectrum
• Frequency
• Wavelength
• Spectra
• Cosmic Background Radiation

Light is composed of many different color​s

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​ It can be dispersed or refracted (separated) using a prism

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​White Light

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Multiple Choice

The _____ determines the color of visible light.

• wavelength

• speed

• amplitude

• light

​Visible Spectrum

​Red is the longest wave length

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Blue is the shortest wave length ​

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​Electromagnetic Waves

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Multiple Choice

The shortest wavelength in visible light is______.

• violet
• red
• blue
• yellow

​Resonance and light

​atoms vibrate at a natural frequency if light with the same frequency interacts with the matter the photon is absorbed and releases heat energy.

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​Light Absorption

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Multiple Choice

A leaf is green. What does this tell you about the light that is being absorbed?

• The light is a UV ray.

• The light is not a part of the light spectrum.

• All colors are reflected except green.

• All colors are absorbed except green

​Monochromatic

​light of a single color

​in phase

​2 sources vibrate with the same frequency

​ Wave Behavior Interference

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Multiple Choice

Two waves with phase difference 180° have resultant of amplitude

• one.

• zero.

• same as the single wave.

• doubles the single wave.

​​Constructive

any location along the medium where the two interfering waves have a displacement in the same direction​

Destructive ​

any location along the medium where the two interfering waves have a displacement in the opposite direction​

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​ Wave Interference

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Multiple Choice

Constructive interference happens when two waves are:

• out of phase.

• zero amplitude.

• in phase.

​ Wave Behavior

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​ ​Unpolarized

​wave that is vibrating in more than one plane

​Polarized

wave that ​is vibrating in a single plane

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Multiple Select

What's polarization of waves?

• Restriction of the direction of oscillation of a transverse wave to only one plane.

• Restriction of the direction of oscillation of a longitudinal wave to only one plane.

• Restriction of the direction of oscillation of a transverse wave to just two planes.

• Restriction of the direction of oscillation of a wave into positive and negative fields

​ Wave Behavior

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​Polarization

Induced polarized light

(light that is naturally unpolarized but altered to be polarized)​

Polaroid filter​

​made of a special material that is capable of blocking one of the two planes of vibration of an electromagnetic wave

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Multiple Choice

Light that is reflected or transmitted through certain media so that all vibrations are restricted to a single plane is called:

• polarized light.

• ambient light.

• direct light.

• indirect light.

Light as a Particle

When a photon hits a metalic surface causing an electron (negative charged sub atomic particle) to be released​

• photoelectron​

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Photo Electric Effect

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Light reflects or refracts as a wave but scatters as a particle ​

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Scattering

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Multiple Choice

Why does scattering of light occur?

• Light rays are reflected by atmospheric molecules and scatter in all directions

• Light rays are blocked and refracted to all directions by the clouds or particles in the air

• Light rays are transmitted and refracted in all directions by the clouds or particles in the air