Characteristics of Light Waves

These flashcards cover key concepts discussed in the lecture about light waves, focusing on frequency, wavelength, speed of light, and their relationships.

Frequency

Defined as how often a wave cycle passes through a given point per second.

Wavelength

The distance from one wave cycle to the next.

Speed of Light (c)

Constant speed at which light travels, approximately 3 x 10⁸ meters per second.

Inverse Relationship

The relationship between frequency and wavelength, where increasing one results in a decrease of the other.

Hertz (Hz)

The unit expressed as cycles per second, commonly used to measure frequency.

Visible Spectrum

The range of wavelengths that can be detected by the human eye, roughly between 400 and 700 nanometers.

Equation relating wavelength, frequency, and speed of light

The equation lambda nu (λν) = c, where λ is wavelength, ν is frequency, and c is the speed of light.

Mathematical Representation of Speed of Light

When calculating speed, dividing meters per second by meters gives frequency in cycles per second.

Wave Cycle

A single up/down motion of a wave.

Nu (ν)

The Greek letter representing frequency.

Lambda (λ)

The Greek letter representing wavelength.

Unit of Frequency

Mathematically expressed as cycles per second or s⁻¹.