In-Depth Notes on Refraction, Waves, and Light Properties

Refraction with a Prism

• Refraction: The bending of light when it passes from one material to another due to a change in speed.
• Prism: A transparent optical element that refracts light, separating it into different colors.
  • Each color has different wavelengths and amounts of energy, causing the light to bend at different angles.

Refraction with Water

• Refraction in Water: When light travels from air into water, it changes speed, causing it to bend.
  • Example: Observing a penny at the bottom of a cup filled with water versus an empty cup.
  • Experiment:
  • Cup 1: No water - light travels at a normal speed.
  • Cup 2: With water - light slows down as it enters the water, creating an apparent shift in position of objects beneath the surface.
  • Light travels at a different speed in air compared to water, leading to the bending effect when entering or exiting water surfaces.

Transverse Waves

• Definition: Waves where the motion of the medium is perpendicular to the direction of the wave.
• Light as a Wave: Light exhibits properties of waves, categorized under electromagnetic energy.
  • Comprised of different wavelengths and frequencies.
• Key Terms:
  • Wavelength: The distance between successive crests of a wave.
  • Crest: The highest point of a wave.
  • Frequency: Number of waves that passes a point in a period of time. Faster wavelengths correspond to higher frequencies and lower energy.
• Visible Spectrum:
  • Red has the longest wavelength and lowest frequency, while violet has the shortest wavelength and highest frequency.

Transparent, Translucent, and Opaque

• Classification of Materials:
  • Transparent: Materials that allow light to pass through completely (e.g., glass).
  • Translucent: Materials that partially transmit light, scattering it (e.g., frosted glass).
  • Opaque: Materials that do not allow light to pass through (e.g., cardboard).
• Interactions of Light with Matter:
  • Reflect: Light bounces back when it hits a surface.
  • Absorb: Light is taken in by the material and not transmitted.
  • Transmit: Light passes through the material without being absorbed or reflected.
  • Light waves can interact with matter in various ways leading to these classifications.