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Physics > Electomagntic Spectrum and Light > Flashcards

Electomagntic Spectrum and Light Flashcards

(51 cards)

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1
Q

What is total internal reflection

A

When light is completely reflected back at a boundary between two mediums

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2
Q

When does total internal reflection occur

A

When light meets a less dense medium at an angle of incidence larger than the critical angle

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3
Q

What is the critical angle

A

The angle of incidence which caused the angle of reflection to be 90°

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4
Q

What determines the colour of visible light waves

A

Wavelength and frequency of the light waves

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5
Q

What colour of visible light has the highest frequency

A

Blue

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6
Q

What colour of visible light has the largest wavelength

A

Red

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7
Q

What is meant by term ‘specular reflection’

A

Rays are reflected from a smooth surface in a single direction

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8
Q

What is meant by ‘diffuse reflection’

A

Reflection from a rough surface which causes scattering

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9
Q

How does colour filter work

A

A red filter absorbs all wavelengths of light other than those in the red range of the spectrum
This means only red light passes through the filter

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10
Q

opaque

A

Not see through

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11
Q

What governs the colour of an opaque object

A

Different objects reflect different wavelengths of light by different amounts
The wavelengths that are most strongly reflected determine the colour

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12
Q

What happens to wavelengths of light that aren’t reflected by an opaque object

A

They are absorbed by the object

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13
Q

What colour does an object appear if all wavelengths are reflected by equal amounts

A

White

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14
Q

What colour does an object appear if all wavelengths are absorbed

A

Black

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15
Q

What types of waves are electromagnetic waves

A

Transverse

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16
Q

What does electromagnetic waves transfer

A

Energy (NOT matter)

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17
Q

What type of spectrum do electromagnetic waves form

A

A continuous spectrum

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18
Q

Order of electromagnetic spectrum in order of INCREASING WAVELENGTH

A

Gamma (shortest wavelength)
X-ray
Ultraviolet
Visible
Infrared
Microwave
Radio (longest wavelength)

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19
Q

What is highest frequency of electromagnetic wave

A

Gamma waves

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20
Q

Highest energy electromagnetic wave

A

Gamma waves

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21
Q

What properties are shared by all of the electromagnetic waves

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A

All transverse
All travel at the same speed - 3x10^8 m/s
Can travel through a vacuum

22
Q

What range of frequencies of electromagnetic waves can be detected by the human eye

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A

400-700 nanometres

23
Q

How do the speeds of EM radiation differ in a vacuum and in air

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A

Electromagnetic waves all travel at the same speed in vacuum and air

24
Q

What can happen when radiation strikes an object

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A

It can be…
Transmitted
Reflected
Absorbed

25
What do all bodies (objects) emit and absorb
Infrared radiation
26
What happens to the quantity of infrared radiation emitted by an object as temperature increases
The hotter the object the more infrared radiation it will emit
27
What happens to the rule of radiation emitted by an object as temperature increases
Hotter the body the shorter the wavelength of radiation released
28
What is required for a human body to be at a constant temperature
Body would need to emit radiation at the same rate that it absorbs it. It needs to radiate at the same average power that it absorbs
29
Intensity and wavelength distribution of any emission depends on what
Temperature
30
What is meant by intensity
The power transferred per unit area It is a measure of the energy transferred by a wave
31
What will happen if the average power that an object radiates is less than it absorbs
The temperature of the object will decrease
32
What can be said about the rates of emission and absorption for a body increasing in temperatures
The body is absorbing radiation faster than it is emitting it
33
Two factors that affect the temperature of the earth
1. Earths rate of absorption and emission of radiation 2. The amount of reflection of radiation into space
34
How does the earths atmosphere affect radiation
The atmosphere largely absorbs or reflects radiation from the sun, preventing it from reaching the earth. Some radiation, however, is allowed to pass through and warms the earth
35
What type of waves can be produced by oscillations in an electrical circuit
Radio waves
36
How can radio waves create an alternating current in a circuit
When radio waves are absorbed, they can induce oscillations in a circuit with the same frequency as the waves themselves
37
Where do gamma rays originate from
From changed in the nuclei of atoms
38
What health effects can ultraviolet waves cause
Cause the skin to age prematurely Increase risk of developing skin cancer
39
What health effects can x-rays and gamma rays cause
Ionising radiation so can cause mutations in genes Can lead to increased risk of developing various cancers
40
What health effects can infrared rays cause
Cause burns to skin or tissue
41
How does EM radiation affect the electron arrangement in atoms
Absorption or emission of electromagnetic radiation can cause electron arrangement to change. It can remove electrons from the atom or move electrons further from the nucleus
42
How do atoms become ions
Losing outer electron
43
What are the effects of body cells absorbing radiation
Large amounts damage cells Smaller amounts cause mutation, causing cells to divide which can lead to cancer
44
Stage and explain use of radio waves
Communications Because radio waves are long wavelength and can travel long distances without losing quality
45
State an explain use of microwaves
Cooking As microwaves are absorbed by heat fat/water in foods
46
State and explain use of infrared radiation
Cooking food As it transfers thermal energy
47
State and explain use of visible radiation
Fibre optics As they reflect best in glass
48
State and explain uses of UV radiation
Sterilisation As it kills bacteria
49
State and explain uses of X-rays
Medical imaging and treatment Because they are very high energy and can easily penetrate body tissues
50
State and explain use of gamma rays
Medical treatments Such as radiotherapy in the treatment of cancer
51
Which waves of the EM spectrum are regarded as the most dangerous
Gamma and X-rays as they have highest energy

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