Science Energy

wave

a disturbance that transfers energy from one place to another

medium

matter disturbed by a wave

electromagnetic wave

waves that transfer through a medium or empty space

wavelength

distance from one crest to next

absorption/absorb

transfer of energy by a wave to which it travels

transmission/transmit

passage of light through an object

reflection/reflect

bouncing of a wave off a surface

refraction/refract

change in direction of a wave that occurs as the wave changes speed when moving from 1 medium to another

emit

to produce and discharge energy, often in the form of light or heat.

electromagnetic spectrum

the range of all types of electromagnetic radiation

visible light

the portion of the electromagnetic spectrum that can be detected by the human eye.

ultraviolet light

a type of electromagnetic radiation that is not visible to the human eye but can cause sunburn

infrared light

a type of electromagnetic radiation that is not visible to the human eye but can be felt as heat.

retina

a layer at the back of the eyeball containing cells that are sensitive to light and that trigger nerve impulses that pass via the optic nerve to the brain, where a visual image is formed.

rods

detecting light/dark, but not color.

opaque

materials that block the passage of light or radiant energy, making them impossible to see through

transparent

materials that transmit light without significant scattering, allowing objects on the other side to be clearly seen

translucent

allow light to pass through them partially or diffusely, resulting in scattered light and indistinct, blurry images of objects on the other side

pigment

insoluble, finely ground colored particles that impart color to materials by selectively absorbing and reflecting specific light wavelengths.

cones

detect color and fine details