How Light is Made

Flashcards to review vocabulary and key concepts related to light and color.

Electromagnetic Spectrum

A range of all types of electromagnetic radiation, ordered by frequency or wavelength.

Frequency

The number of waves that pass a point in space per unit time, typically measured in Hertz (Hz).

Wavelength

The distance between successive peaks of a wave, often measured in nanometers (nm) for light.

Photon

A quantum of light or electromagnetic radiation, representing the smallest possible amount of light energy.

Planck's Constant (h)

A fundamental physical constant that relates the energy of a photon to its frequency, approximately $6.626 imes 10^{-34} J imes s$.

Burn Rays

Ultraviolet light waves that cause skin burns, typically ranging from 290 to 320 nm.

Refraction

The bending of light as it passes from one medium to another with different densities.

Transmission

The process of light passing through a material without being absorbed.

Opaque Materials

Substances that do not allow light to pass through them.

Transparent Materials

Substances that allow light to pass through without significant scattering.

Diffuse Reflection

Reflection of light that occurs when a rough surface scatters light in various directions.

Mirrored Reflection

Reflection of light from a smooth surface that preserves the image.

Absorption

The process in which light energy is taken up by a material and converted to other forms of energy.

Energy of a Photon

Calculated by the formula $E = hf$, where $h$ is Planck's constant and $f$ is frequency.

Speed of Light (c)

The speed at which light travels in a vacuum, approximately $3.0 imes 10^{8} m/s$.

Additive Color Theory

The theory that colors are created by mixing different wavelengths of light, primary colors being red, green, and blue.