Light and Its Properties

These flashcards cover key concepts related to light, its properties, and its interaction with different materials, based on the provided lecture transcript.

Visible Light

A component of the electromagnetic spectrum that can be seen by the human eye.

Electromagnetic Spectrum

The range of all types of radiation that exists in our universe.

Radiation

A form of energy that travels through physical space.

Wave Characteristics

Every wave possesses amplitude, wavelength, period, and frequency.

Wave Speed

Calculated as distance divided by time; for waves, speed can also be calculated using wavelength and frequency.

Speed of Light (c)

The speed of light in a vacuum is approximately 3.0 x 10^8 m/s.

Inverse Relationship

Wavelength and frequency of electromagnetic radiation are inversely related.

Additive Colour Theory

States that combinations of primary colors of light can predict the color observed.

Subtractive Colour Theory

Describes how colors are perceived based on absorption and reflection of light.

Incandescence

Light produced from an object heated to a high temperature.

Fluorescence

Light produced when material absorbs UV light and emits visible light.

Phosphorescence

Light emitted slowly over time after absorbing UV light.

Chemiluminescence

Light produced via a chemical reaction without heat.

Bioluminescence

Chemiluminescence occurring within an organism.

Total Internal Reflection

Occurs when the angle of incidence exceeds the critical angle, causing light to be completely reflected.

Refraction

The bending of light as it travels from one medium to another.

Optical Prism

A transparent medium designed to refract light and can separate white light into its component colors.

Snell's Law

Describes how light refracts when passing from one medium to another with a different refractive index.

Myopia

Nearsightedness, where eyes can focus on close objects but not distant ones.

Hyperopia

Farsightedness, where eyes can focus on distant objects but not close ones.

Astigmatism

Abnormalities in the shape of the cornea causing multiple focal points.

Presbyopia

Vision problem due to aging that causes the lens to harden, resulting in difficulty focusing on close objects.