5.6 Light

Front

What is a transverse wave?

Back

A type of wave where the motion of the medium is perpendicular to the direction of the wave's travel.

Front

What are the parts of a transverse wave?

Back

Crest (the highest point), Trough (the lowest point), and Wavelength (the distance between two consecutive crests or troughs).

Front

What happens to light when it hits a black surface?

Back

The black surface absorbs all colors of visible light and transforms that radiant energy into heat energy.

Front

What is the difference between opaque, transparent, and translucent materials?

Back

Opaque materials do not allow light to pass through (e.g., brick wall), transparent materials allow light to pass through clearly (e.g., eyeglass lenses), and translucent materials allow some light to pass through but not clearly (e.g., stained glass window).

Front

What is wavelength?

Back

The distance between two consecutive crests or troughs in a wave.

Front

What is the effect of color on heat absorption?

Back

Darker colors absorb more light and heat, while lighter colors reflect more light and heat.

Front

What is reflection of light?

Back

The bouncing back of light rays when they hit a surface.

Front

What is refraction of light?

Back

The bending of light as it passes from one medium to another, changing its speed.

Front

What is the speed of light?

Back

The speed of light in a vacuum is approximately 299,792 kilometers per second (km/s).

Front

What is a prism?

Back

A transparent optical element that refracts light, separating it into its component colors.