Physics Grade 10 - Spectrum Practice Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering the concepts, wave characteristics, detection methods, properties, and applications of the electromagnetic spectrum and light dispersion through prisms.

Electromagnetic Spectrum

The complete range of electromagnetic radiations arranged in order of increasing wavelength: Gamma rays, X-rays, Ultraviolet rays, Visible light, Infrared radiations, Microwaves, and Radio waves.

Gamma Rays

Electromagnetic waves produced by changes in the nucleus of an atom, with wavelengths below $0.01\,\text{nm}$ ($10^{-3}\,\text{nm}$), possessing the highest penetrating power.

X-Rays

High-energy invisible electromagnetic waves with wavelengths ranging from $0.01\,\text{nm}$ to $10\,\text{nm}$ ($0.1\,\text{\AA}$ to $100\,\text{\AA}$), used for studying crystal structures and detecting bone fractures.

Ultraviolet Radiations

Invisible electromagnetic waves beyond the violet end of the visible spectrum with wavelengths from $100\,\text{\AA}$ to $4000\,\text{\AA}$ ($10\,\text{nm}$ to $400\,\text{nm}$), used in producing vitamin D and detecting the purity of gems.

Infrared Radiations

Invisible electromagnetic waves beyond the red end of the visible spectrum with wavelengths from $8000\,\text{\AA}$ to $10^7\,\text{\AA}$, which produce a strong heating effect.

Invisible Spectrum

The region of the electromagnetic spectrum beyond the red extreme and violet extreme to which human eyes do not respond.

Dispersion of Light

The phenomenon of splitting a beam of white light into its seven constituent colours when passed through a transparent medium.

Spectrum

The band of constituent colours displayed on a screen when white light passes through a prism.

Cause of Dispersion

The difference in the speed of light for different wavelengths when entering a medium like glass, causing different colours to deviate through different angles.

Thermopile

A device used for detecting infrared radiations by measuring their heating property.

Silver Chloride Solution

A chemical solution used to detect ultraviolet radiations, turning violet and then dark brown upon exposure due to chemical activity.

Quartz Prism

A prism material required to obtain the spectrum of ultraviolet light because ultraviolet rays can pass through quartz but are absorbed by ordinary glass.

Rock Salt Prism

A prism material required to obtain the infrared spectrum because rock salt does not absorb infrared radiations, whereas ordinary glass absorbs them.

Visible Spectrum Wavelength Range

The range of electromagnetic wavelengths visible to the human eye, spanning from $4000\,\text{\AA}$ to $8000\,\text{\AA}$ ($400\,\text{nm}$ to $800\,\text{nm}$).

Polychromatic Light

Light composed of multiple constituent colours or wavelengths, such as white light.

Factors Affecting Prism Deviation

The four factors determining light deviation in a prism: angle of incidence, refractive index of prism material, angle of prism, and wavelength of light used.

Minimum Deviation in an Equiangular Prism

The condition where the light ray travels parallel to the base inside the prism, occurring when the angle of incidence equals the angle of emergence.

Carbon Arc-Lamp

A device that serves as a powerful artificial source of ultraviolet light.

Microwaves

Electromagnetic waves used extensively for radar communication and satellite communication.