Understanding Light, Waves, and Atomic Structure

Electromagnetic Radiation

Energy transfer through waves in space.

Speed of Light

3.00 x 10^8 m/s in vacuum.

Visible Light

Light that interacts with matter to become visible.

Ray Model of Light

Light travels in straight lines.

Sharp-edged Shadow

Result of light being blocked by an object.

Ray Diagrams

Visual representations predicting light behavior.

Light Dimming

Light intensity decreases with distance from source.

Wave Model of Light

Light exhibits wave-like properties.

Particle Model of Light

Proposes light has particle-like characteristics.

Thomas Young's Experiment

Demonstrated light's wave properties using double slits.

Crest

Highest point of a wave.

Trough

Lowest point of a wave.

Wavelength

Distance between two matching points on a wave.

Radiant Energy

Energy traveling in wave form from a source.

Types of Electromagnetic Radiation

Includes visible light, microwaves, x-rays, and more.

Energy

Ability to apply force or produce change.

Light Source

Origin point from which light rays emanate.

Interaction with Matter

Visible light requires matter to be seen.

Electromagnetic Spectrum

Range of all types of electromagnetic radiation.

Energy Transfer

Movement of energy from one location to another.

Light Behavior

Describes how light interacts with objects.

Amplitude

Height above or below rest position of wave.

Waves

Vibrations that can travel through a medium.

Frequency

Number of wavelengths per second, measured in hertz.

Period

Time taken to complete one cycle of wave.

Travelling waves

Waves that propagate through a medium.

Transverse waves

Waves that move up and down.

Compression waves

Waves that move back and forth.

Lens

Curved device that bends light rays.

Concave lens

Thinner in center, diverges light rays.

Convex lens

Thicker in center, converges light rays.

Focal point

Point where light rays converge or appear to originate.

Focal length

Distance from focal point to lens center.

Plane mirror

Flat mirror reflecting light without distortion.

Concave mirror

Curved inward mirror that converges light.

Convex mirror

Curved outward mirror that diverges light.

Law of Reflection

Angle of incidence equals angle of reflection.

Virtual image

Image that cannot be projected on a screen.

Real image

Image that can be projected on a screen.

Myopia

Nearsightedness; can see close objects clearly.

Hyperopia

Farsightedness; can see distant objects clearly.

Astigmatism

Irregular cornea causing blurred vision.

Cones

Photoreceptors detecting color in the eye.

Rods

Photoreceptors for low light vision.

Cell membrane

Protective barrier controlling cell substance movement.

Cytoplasm

Jelly-like fluid within the cell.

Nucleus

Control center containing genetic material.

Mitochondria

Powerhouse of the cell, produces energy.

Chloroplasts

Organelles for photosynthesis in plant cells.

Ribosomes

Cellular machinery for protein synthesis.

DNA

Molecule carrying genetic information.

Chromosomes

Structures containing DNA, humans have 46.

Mitosis

Process of cell division producing two identical cells.

Meiosis

Cell division producing gametes with half chromosomes.

Gene mutation

Change in DNA sequence affecting protein production.

Mutagens

Environmental factors causing genetic mutations.

Density

Mass per unit volume of a substance.

Displacement

Method to measure volume of irregular objects.

Quarks

Fundamental particles making up protons and neutrons.

Leptons

Elementary particles including electrons.

Electromagnetic rays

Radiation traveling through space, does not require medium.

Kinetic Molecular Theory

Matter consists of tiny particles in motion.

States of Matter

Solid, liquid, gas; defined by particle arrangement.

Phase changes

Transitions between solid, liquid, and gas states.

Negative Effect

Harmful impact on organisms, e.g., curved blood cells.

Positive Effect

Helpful impact, e.g., protection from diseases.

Neutral Effect

No significant impact, e.g., white fur on bears.

Addition Mutation

Extra nucleotides added to DNA sequence.

Deletion Mutation

One or more nucleotides removed from a gene.

Duplication Mutation

DNA segment is duplicated within the genome.

Inversion Mutation

Chromosome segment flips and reattaches oppositely.

Translocation Mutation

Chromosome piece attaches to another chromosome.

Static Charge

Electrical charge accumulates in one location.

Insulators

Materials that prevent easy charge movement.

Conductors

Materials that allow free movement of electrons.

Van de Graaf Generator

Generates static charge using friction and a belt.

Grounding

Process allowing excess charge to escape to Earth.

Lightning

Electrical discharge caused by charged clouds.

Electric Force

Push or pull created by electric charge.

Charging by Induction

Attraction/repulsion of electrons in neutral objects.

Charge by Conduction

Transfer of electrons to neutral objects.

Electric Circuit

Pathway enabling electron flow in a circuit.

Current Electricity

Charge flow per second, measured in amperes (A).

Ohm's Law

Resistance equals voltage divided by current.

Resistance

Material property that slows electron flow, measured in ohms.

Series Circuit

Current remains constant; voltage adds across loads.

Parallel Circuit

Current adds through pathways; voltage remains constant.

What is electromagnetic radiation?

Energy transfer through waves in space.

What is the speed of light in a vacuum?

3.00 x 10^8 m/s.

What type of light is visible light?

Light that interacts with matter to become visible.

What does the ray model of light state?

Light travels in straight lines.

What creates a sharp-edged shadow?

Light being blocked by an object.

What are ray diagrams used for?

Predicting light behavior through visual representations.

How does light intensity change with distance?

It decreases as the distance from the light source increases.

What properties does the wave model of light exhibit?

Light exhibits wave-like properties.

What does the particle model of light suggest?

Light has particle-like characteristics.

What did Thomas Young's experiment demonstrate?

Light's wave properties using double slits.

Frequency

Number of wavelengths per second, measured in hertz.

Wavelength

Distance between two matching points on a wave.

Amplitude

Height above or below rest position of wave.