4.6 The Properties of Light: Wavelength and Amplitude

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Last updated 9:12 PM on 2/18/26
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6 Terms

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light

electromagnetic energy detected by the eyes

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photons

basic units of electromagnetic radiation; travel in waves

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the different waves in the electromagnetic spectrum

  • radio, microwaves, infrared, visible light, ultraviolet, x-rays, gamma rays

    • visible spectrum is 390-750 nm

    • in order of longest to shortest

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wavelength

the distance between wave peaks; determines hue (red,blue, green)

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amplitude

the height of the waves; determines how bright (light or dark)

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Key Takeaways

  1. Light is physical; color is perceptual.
    → The world doesn't have "color" — our brains construct it from wavelength information.

  2. Humans see a tiny slice of the electromagnetic spectrum.
    → We're "tuned" to 390–750 nm; other animals are tuned differently.

  3. Wavelength = color, amplitude = brightness, purity = saturation.
    → These three dimensions describe all color experiences.

  4. More wavelengths = less color.
    → Saturation decreases as you mix light waves together.