Visible Light Study Guide (SOL 5.6)

Flashcards covering the characteristics, behavior, and movement of visible light based on the SOL 5.6 curriculum.

Radiant energy

A form of energy that moves in transverse waves, including visible light.

Photosynthesis

The process by which radiant energy is transformed into chemical energy.

Transverse waves

Waves that move up and down, which is how light travels.

Crest

The top of a transverse wave.

Trough

The bottom of a transverse wave.

Frequency (Light)

The characteristic of a wave that, when changed, affects the color of light.

Compression waves

Waves that move side to side, which is how sound moves.

Frequency (Sound)

The characteristic of a wave that, when changed, affects the pitch of sound.

Visible spectrum

All of the colors of light that we can see, represented by the acronym ROY G BV.

ROY G BV

The acronym for the colors in the visible spectrum: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, (indigo), and violet.

White light

A combination of all 6 wavelengths of light together emitted from light sources.

Black (as a color)

The absence of light, occurring when no wavelengths are reflected and all wavelengths are absorbed by an object.

Reflection

The bouncing of light off objects; occurs best on smooth, shiny objects.

Refraction

The bending of light when rays travel through different states of matter at an angle, causing rays to slow down at different times.

Transparent

An object that lets all light pass through and absorbs or reflects none, such as clear glass or clear air.

Translucent

An object that lets some light pass through and absorbs/reflects some light, such as wax paper, fog, or frosted glass.

Opaque

An object that lets no light pass through and absorbs/reflects all light, such as a brick wall or aluminum foil.