Light Flashcards
(27 cards)
Light can be characterized by its
energy, wavelength, or frequency
White light separates into
the ROYGBIV rainbow
Emission
give off light
Absorption
take in light
Transmission
light passes through
Transparent
objects transmit light.
Opaque
objects block (absorb) light.
Reflection/scattering
bouncing of light
Light travels as a
wave
Frequency
is how many waves pass by a particular point each second – measured in oscillations per second (Hertz = Hz)
Wavelength
is the distance between two wave peaks
All light travels at
The same speed
relationship between wavelength and frequency?
inverse
Longer wavelength = lower frequency
Shorter wavelength = Higher frequency
Ultraviolet light
Beyond Blue = Shorter wavelength, Higher E, Higher f
Infrared light
Beyond Red = Longer wavelength, Lower E, Lower f
The Electromagnetic Spectrum
Gamma rays, X-rays, Ultraviolet, Visible, Infrared, Microwaves, Radio
Spectroscopy
analyzing light (intensity of light at each wavelength)
Continuous
Solid material or opaque material radiate all colors of the rainbow
Emission
A hot gas emits light at just certain frequenices/energies/wavelengths
“Bight Lines”
Absorption
A cool gas in front of a dense material has a rainbow light spectrum with dark lines superimposed
“Black lines”
Wien’s Radiation Law
- Intensity curves below show celestial objects emit light at all wavelengths
- Higher temperature objects emit more light at all wavelengths than cooler objects
- Peak intensity of higher temperature objects has a shorter wavelength than cooler objects
Continuous spectrum
Solid material or opaque material radiate all colors of the rainbow
Emission spectrum
A hot gas emits light at just certain frequencies/energies/wavelengths
Absorption spectrum
A cool gas in front of a dense material has a rainbow light spectrum with dark lines superimposed
