Transverse Waves

• Visible light is a form of radiant energy that moves in transverse waves.
• All transverse waves exhibit certain characteristics: wavelength, crest, trough, frequency, and amplitude.
  • As wavelength increases, frequency decreases.
  • There is an inverse relationship between frequency and wavelength.
• model a transverse wave and draw and label the basic components. Explain wavelength, amplitude, frequency, crest, and trough.
• Radiant energy travels in straight lines until it strikes an object where it can be reflected, absorbed, or transmitted.

Electromagnetic Spectrum

• Electromagnetic waves are arranged on the electromagnetic spectrum by wavelength.
• All types of electromagnetic radiation travel at the speed of light, but differ in wavelength.
• The electromagnetic spectrum includes gamma rays, X-rays, ultraviolet, visible light, infrared, radio and microwaves.
  • Radio waves are the lowest energy waves and have the longest wavelength and the lowest frequency.
  • Gamma rays are the highest energy waves and have the shortest wavelength and the highest frequency.
  • Visible light lies in between and makes up only a small portion of the electromagnetic spectrum.
  • compare the various types of electromagnetic waves in terms of wavelength, frequency, and energy.
  • describe an everyday application of each of the major forms of electromagnetic energy.

Reflection, Refraction, Diffraction

• As visible light travels through different media, it undergoes a change in speed that may result in refraction.
• Plane, concave, and convex mirrors all reflect light.
  • Convex mirrors diverge light and produce a smaller, upright image.
  • Concave mirrors converge light and produce an upright, magnified image if close and an inverted, smaller image if far away.
• Concave and convex lenses refract light.
  • Convex lenses converge light.
  • Concave lenses diverge light.
  • identify the images formed by lenses and mirrors.
• Diffraction is when light waves strike an obstacle and new waves are produced.
• Interference takes place when two or more waves overlap and combine as a result of diffraction.
  • describe the wave behavior of visible light (refraction, reflection, diffraction, and interference).