Visible light

What is visible light?

Visible light is the range of electromagnetic waves that can be detected by the human eye, with wavelengths between approximately 400 nm and 700 nm.

What colors make up visible light?

Visible light is made up of the colors red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet.

How does white light split into the colors of the spectrum?

When white light passes through a prism, it splits into a spectrum of colors due to different wavelengths being refracted by different amounts.

How do different colors of light differ from each other?

Different colors of light have different wavelengths, with red having the longest wavelength and violet having the shortest.

What is the relationship between the wavelength of light and its color?

Light with a longer wavelength appears red, and light with a shorter wavelength appears violet.

How do we perceive colors?

We perceive colors based on the wavelengths of light that are reflected from objects and detected by the cones in our eyes.

Why does a blue object appear blue?

A blue object appears blue because it reflects blue wavelengths of light and absorbs other wavelengths.

How does light travel through a medium?

Light travels in straight lines through transparent media and can be reflected, refracted, or absorbed depending on the medium.

What is the speed of light in a vacuum?

The speed of light in a vacuum is approximately 3×10⁸ meters per second.

How does the speed of light change in different media?

Light slows down when it passes through denser media (e.g., glass or water) and speeds up when it passes through less dense media (e.g., air).

What is dispersion in light?

Dispersion is the process by which light splits into its component colors when passing through a medium like a prism.

How does the refractive index of a material affect light?

A higher refractive index means light travels slower through the material and bends more when passing into it.

What happens when light strikes a surface at an angle?

When light strikes a surface at an angle, it is reflected or refracted depending on the surface properties and the angle of incidence.

How is the color of a star determined?

The color of a star depends on its temperature, with hotter stars appearing blue and cooler stars appearing red.