1. Energy and Waves

2. Energy transfer from the Sun to Earth
Nuclear  heat  light The light is so important to us, it’s a matter of life or death. So, we will spend some time exploring this concept of light energy.

3. 1. What is light? a. Energy carried by electromagnetic waves
b. A vibration of energy
c. Light from the sun comes to us in the form of a wave
d. Its energy is measured in wavelengths
So..
2. What is a wave?
a. A vibration through space and time
b. It carries energy

4. Light Travels on Electromagnetic Waves
Electromagnetic (EM) waves are non-mechanical waves because they don’t require a medium (substance) to travel through (that’s why they can travel through space).
Sound waves, on the other hand, are mechanical waves because they need a substance to travel through and deliver those waves to our ears. Another example are waves that travel through water.

5. Parts of a Wave (don’t draw this in the box on your notes)

6. Wavelength (w) (draw this in the box)
w = the distance from one crest to the next
(draw this in the box)

7. Resting position (zero)
Amplitude
The amplitude is the vertical change in the wave from its resting position (zero) to the crest or trough.
Resting position (zero)

8. Frequency (ƒ) ƒ= # of cycles second
Frequency is the number of cycles per second
# of cycles ƒ=
second

9. Which one has the shortest wavelength
Which one has the shortest wavelength? Which one has the lowest frequency?

10. Relationship Between Energy, Wavelength and Frequency

11. Calculating wavelength and frequency
All electromagnetic radiation travels through space (no medium) at the speed of light.
Speed of light(c) = 300,000,000 meters per second… OR
C = 300,000,000m/s

12. Relationship between speed of light, wavelength and frequency
Since speed of light (c) = frequency(f) x wavelength (λ), then you can solve for these two variables using this formula:
c = fλ
Units of measurement:
Frequency: Hertz (Hz)
Wavelength: meters (m)
Speed (m/s)
frequency
Speed of light
wavelength

13. Sample Calculation
What is the frequency of a radio wave that has a wavelength of 375 meters?
c = fw
300,000,000 m/s = f x 375 m
300,000,000 m/s = f
375 m
800,000 Hz = f

14. Another Example Problem:
A blue light wave has a wavelength of 400nm. What is its frequency? (remember, you already know its speed).
We first need to convert 400nm to meters.
1 nanometer = 1 x 10-9 meters
convert to meters: 400nm x meters = m
now: C = f x m
300,000,000m/s = f x m
300,000,000m/s m
= 7.5 x 1014 Hz

15. Now practice solving for wavelength and frequency on your own

16. Review! Light Can be a Particle or a Wave
Light can be described as a photon - a particle of energy.
AND
Light can be described as a wave - a movement of energy through matter or space
Non-mechanical waves don’t require a medium (substance) to travel through. They travel through space.
Mechanical waves need a substance to travel through such as water or air.

17. How can elements be identified?
One method for identifying an element is observing the light emitted when the element is energized (heat or electricity)
In order to understand how the emitted light identifies an element, we must understand the properties of light