Light & Sound Flashcards
(16 cards)
What is the speed of light in a vacuum?
3 × 10⁸ meters per second (m/s)
What is the law of reflection?
The angle of incidence is equal to the angle of reflection.
What is refraction?
Refraction is the change in direction of light when it passes from one medium to another.
What causes refraction?
The change in speed of light as it moves between media of different densities.
What is the refractive index?
The ratio of the speed of light in a vacuum to the speed of light in a medium.
What is the formula for calculating refractive index?
Refractive index 𝑛
speedoflightinvacuum
——————————
speedoflightinmedium
What happens when light passes from air into water?
The light slows down and bends towards the normal.
What is the critical angle?
The angle of incidence above which total internal reflection occurs in a medium.
What is total internal reflection?
When light is completely reflected within a medium and does not pass into the second medium.
What is the electromagnetic spectrum?
A range of electromagnetic waves, including radio waves, microwaves, infrared, visible light, ultraviolet, X-rays, and gamma rays.
What is the speed of sound in air?
About 343 meters per second (m/s) at room temperature.
What is the formula to calculate speed of sound in a medium?
Speed = Distance / Time
What is pitch?
The perceived frequency of a sound, determining whether it is high or low.
What is frequency?
The number of waves that pass a point in one second.
What is the relationship between wavelength and frequency?
Wavelength and frequency are inversely proportional – as one increases, the other decreases.
What is dispersion?
The separation of light into its component colors, typically when light passes through a prism.
