What Is Light?

Question 1

A wave is…

Answer 1

A disturbance that transfers energy from one point to another without transferring matter.

Question 2

Crest

Answer 2

Highest point of the wave

Question 3

Trough

Answer 3

Lowest point of the wave

Question 4

The center of a wave (when there are no waves) is called the…

Answer 4

Rest position

Question 5

λ

Answer 5

• Lambda
• Measured in metres
• Measures wavelength

Question 6

a

Answer 6

• Amplitude
• The absolute wave height from the rest position
• Value is ALWAYS positive

Question 7

ƒ

Answer 7

• Frequency
• Rate of repetition of a wave
• Measured in Hertz (Hz), which is cycles per second

Question 8

Light is both…

Answer 8

A particle AND a wave

Question 9

A medium

Answer 9

• Any physical substance (such as air, water and dust) that acts as a carrier for the transmission of energy
• CARRIES and TRANSMITS
  E.G
• Sound travels through air particles
• Water travels through water
• A rope or slinky can be a medium for waves

Question 10

Electromagnetic Waves

Answer 10

• Used to describe light because light is made up of oscillating electric AND magnetic waves
• The electric field goes up and down
• The magnetic field goes side to side

Question 11

What is the speed of light?

Answer 11

299,792,4583 m/s
OR 2.998 x 10^8 m/s
Referred to as “c”

Question 12

What are the different wavelengths on the spectrum?

Answer 12

Radio waves
Microwaves
Infrared
Ultraviolet (UV)
X-Rays
Gamma rays
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