Electromagnetic Radiation Learning Goal: To identify parts of a wave, and relate the properties of wavelength, energy, and frequency. Light is a form of electromagnetic radiation, a type of energy that travels through space at a constant speed of 3.0 x 10 m/s. Light can be described as a wave of electromagnetic energy traveling through space. Light waves are characterized by their properties such as wavelength (X) and frequency (). Light can also be described as a stream of particles. A particle of light or a single packet of light energy is called a photon. Since light can be described as a wave of energy or as a stream of particles, it has both wavelike and particle-like properties. ANSWER: The wavelength of visible light determines the color of the light. White light, like the light produced from the sun or a light bulb, contains a spectrum of wavelengths and therefore a spectrum of colors. When white light passes through a prism, it separates into its constituent colors: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet.
The Correct Answer and Explanation is :
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Answer:
The wavelength of visible light determines the color of the light. Each color corresponds to a different wavelength in the visible spectrum. For example, red light has a longer wavelength (around 700 nm), while violet light has a shorter wavelength (around 400 nm).
Explanation:
Electromagnetic radiation, including light, travels in waves. These waves are characterized by two primary properties: wavelength (λ) and frequency (f). The wavelength refers to the distance between two consecutive peaks of the wave, while frequency is the number of wave cycles that pass a given point per second.
Light behaves both as a wave and a particle, which is why we call it “wave-particle duality.” As a wave, light travels at a constant speed in a vacuum, approximately 3.0 x 10^8 meters per second. The speed of light, wavelength, and frequency are related through the equation:
[
c = \lambda f
]
Where:
- (c) is the speed of light,
- (\lambda) is the wavelength,
- (f) is the frequency.
This equation shows that as the wavelength of light increases, its frequency decreases, and vice versa. When light passes through a prism, it is separated into its different wavelengths, forming a spectrum of colors. This is the principle behind rainbows and the separation of light into its constituent colors in a laboratory setting.
Each color in the visible spectrum corresponds to a particular wavelength. For example:
- Red light has a wavelength around 700 nm (nanometers),
- Violet light has a wavelength around 400 nm.
The photon, which is a particle of light, carries a discrete amount of energy. The energy of a photon is directly proportional to the frequency of the light wave. The equation for energy ((E)) of a photon is:
[
E = hf
]
Where:
- (h) is Planck’s constant,
- (f) is the frequency of the light.
Thus, light with higher frequency (like violet light) has higher energy, while light with lower frequency (like red light) has lower energy. This explains why colors at different wavelengths have varying energies and how they contribute to the overall behavior of light as both waves and particles.