light quiz

aCompare and contrast light and sound waves

Sound waves are longitudinal, light waves are transverse.  Sound needs a medium to travel while light can travel in an empty space. Light also travels faster than sound.

Reflection: Sounds bounce off surface 

Absorption: Materials absorb sound, reducieg echoes 

Transmission: Sound/light can pass through materials

Be able to compare the wavelengths of light on the electromagnetic spectrum

• Radio waves have the longest wavelength

• Gamma rays have the shortest wavelength

• Visible light is in the middle, red having longest wavelength and violet having the shortest wavelength

Be able to use the electromagnetic spectrum model to compare the frequency of various types of waves

• Higher frequency = more energy

• Lower frequency = less energy

• Visible lights: Red has the lowest frequency and violet has the highest frequency

Bending light

Refraction

• Refraction happens when light changes speed as it moves through one material to another 

What color absorbs more light?

• Black absorbs most light and turns it into heat

What color reflects more light?

• White reflects most light, making it appear bright

use a wave model of light to explain brightness and color   

• Brightness depends on amplitude (higher amplitude = brighter light)

• Color depends on wavelength (red = long wavelength, blue = short wavelength) 

What makes objects look the color they are?

• Objects absorb some colors and reflect others 

• White objects reflect all colors; black objects absorb all colors 

Review the light concept detailed reading