What is Light waves: Definition and 106 Discussions
Light or visible light is electromagnetic radiation within the portion of the electromagnetic spectrum that is perceived by the human eye. Visible light is usually defined as having wavelengths in the range of 400–700 nanometres (nm), between the infrared (with longer wavelengths) and the ultraviolet (with shorter wavelengths). This wavelength means a frequency range of roughly 430–750 terahertz (THz).
The primary properties of visible light are intensity, propagation-direction, frequency or wavelength spectrum and polarization. Its speed in a vacuum, 299 792 458 metres a second (m/s), is one of the fundamental constants of nature, as with all types of electromagnetic radiation (EMR), light is found in experimental conditions to always move at this speed in a vacuum.In physics, the term 'light' sometimes refers to electromagnetic radiation of any wavelength, whether visible or not. In this sense, gamma rays, X-rays, microwaves and radio waves are also light. Like all types of electromagnetic radiation, visible light propagates as waves. However, the energy imparted by the waves is absorbed at single locations the way particles are absorbed. The absorbed energy of the electromagnetic waves is called a photon and represents the quanta of light. When a wave of light is transformed and absorbed as a photon, the energy of the wave instantly collapses to a single location and this location is where the photon "arrives". This is what is called the wave function collapse. This dual wave-like and particle-like nature of light is known as the wave–particle duality. The study of light, known as optics, is an important research area in modern physics.
The main source of light on Earth is the Sun. Historically, another important source of light for humans has been fire, from ancient campfires to modern kerosene lamps. With the development of electric lights and power systems, electric lighting has effectively replaced firelight.
I've been trying to get the anwser to this question for awhile. Any help is appreciated. :confused:
1. A glass plate (n=1.61) is covered with a thin, uniform layer of oil (n=1.24). A light beam of variable wavelength from air is incident normally on the oil surface. Observation of the...
Dear all,
A beam of parrllel light of wavelength 450 nm is incident normally on a diffraction grating with 6000 lines peer cm. Would u give me some idea how to find the maximum number of orders of diffraction thact can be seen on each side of the central (zeroth order) maximuum of the far...
Hi,
I have recently read a book called E=MC^2 (David Bodanis). It is an interesting book that goes over the history of the famous equation, but it left me with a few questions.
The story goes into the issue of light being a combination of electric and magnetic fields, but doesn’t go much...
Heres a quick question: while conducting an experiment to demonstrate the effect of polarising light waves, i noticed a strange effect. The lecturer used milk and water mixed in a container with a light shining through, allowing the light beam to show. When we looked at the beam from the side...
ok, so I'm sitting in class one day, and my physics teacher is talking about light... and since we had just finished up a section on sound, I was wondering whether there is such an effect as a "light-boom"
that is to say, if we were to have a spaceship that could go exactly at the speed of...