Electromagnetic Radiation and Light

Flashcards covering key vocabulary and concepts from the lecture on Electromagnetic Radiation and Light.

Electromagnetic Radiation

A kind of radiation in which electric and magnetic fields vary simultaneously; more commonly known as light.

Frequency (f)

How often a wave repeats itself, measured in Hertz (cycles per second).

Wavelength (l)

The length over which a wave repeats in pattern, measured in meters.

Speed of light (c)

The constant speed of light in a vacuum, approximately 3 x 10^8 m/s, calculated as wavelength multiplied by frequency.

Transverse Wave

A wave in which the oscillating electric and magnetic fields are perpendicular to the direction of travel.

Photon

A particle representing a quantum or bundle of light energy.

Plancks Constant (h)

A physical constant (6.626 x 1034 Js) used in the equation for photon energy (E = hf).

Electromagnetic Spectrum

The full range of all types of light, which differ in terms of wavelength and frequency.

Visible Light

The portion of the electromagnetic spectrum that human eyes can perceive, ranging from approximately 400 to 750 nanometers.

Nanometer (nm)

A unit of length used to measure light wavelengths, equal to one billionth of a meter.

Opaque

A property of a medium that blocks or prevents the passage of a specified form of radiation.

Transparent

A property of a medium that allows the passage of a specified form of radiation.

Wavelength and Frequency Relationship

For light in a vacuum, wavelength and frequency are inversely proportional; as one increases, the other decreases.

Photon Energy and Frequency Relationship

The energy of a photon is directly related to its frequency; higher frequency means higher energy.

Photon Energy and Wavelength Relationship

The energy of a photon is inversely related to its wavelength; shorter wavelength means higher energy.