Light Wave Behaviors and Properties Chart (pg. 76)

Behavior 1: Refraction Refraction occurs when a wave bends. A wave bends as it enters a new medium. Speed changes as the medium changes. More bending =greater change in speed.

Behavior 1: Refraction Refraction of light going from air through a convex lens, for example, can make images appear larger as the light waves bend.

Behavior 1: Refraction Prisms (and other diffraction gratings) separate white light into its different colors. Bends light at different angles depending on the frequency. –The different colors consist of red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and violet. –Red = lowest frequency –Violet = highest frequency

Behavior 2: Reflection Reflection occurs when a wave bounces off of a medium. Plane mirrors reflect light to form clear images.

Behavior 3: Transmission Occurs when a wave passes through a medium. Transparent & translucent materials transmit light.

Transparent Allow most of the light that strikes to pass through. Can be clear or colored material such as filters. Only a small amount of light is reflected / absorbed.

Translucent Transmits some light while the rest is scattered. No clear image is seen.

Behavior 4: Absorption Occurs when energy is not transferred through or reflected by medium. Some opaque objects absorb light waves.

Opaque Allow no light waves to be transmitted through. They reflect or absorb all light. Cannot see an image on the other side of the object.

L IGHT W AVE P ROPERTIES Amplitude The higher the amplitude, the brighter the light. Wavelength/Frequency Long wavelength = low frequency Short wavelength = high frequency The higher the frequency, the greater the energy produced by the wave. Speed All electromagnetic waves (including light waves) travel at the same speed in an empty space (vacuum). Speed changes when they travel through a medium.

The Eye Iris – A ring of muscle that gives the eye its color and controls the size of the pupil. Pupil – Part of the eye that looks black; an opening into the eye. Cornea – Light waves that have been given off or reflected by an object, enter the eye and first pass through the transparent layer called the cornea where they are refracted. Lens – The light rays are then refracted again as they pass through the transparent lens (convex). Retina – The lens focuses the light waves on the retina, located on the back of the inside of the eye. They generate small nerve signals when hit by light. Optic Nerve – Nerve impulses from the retina are transmitted through the optic nerve to the brain for interpretation as sight.