EM Spectrum

Wave-Particle Duality

● Concept that light and matter exhibit properties of both waves and particles.
● Known as the "quantum nature of light" and "quantum nature of particles".

Wavelength

● Components of a wave:
○ Crest: Highest point of a wave.
○ Trough: Lowest point of a wave.
○ Direction of travel: Direction waves move.

Did You Know?

● Light is the source of color.

Electromagnetic Waves & Spectrum

● Visible light represents only a small portion of the electromagnetic spectrum.

● Electromagnetic Spectrum: Describes all kinds of light.
● Visibility: Most light in the universe is invisible to human eyes.

Characteristics of Electromagnetic Waves

● Nature: Transverse waves that can travel through empty space.

● Properties:
○ They travel as vibrations in electrical and magnetic fields.

○
○ Interrelation of electric and magnetic fields: A changing electric field leads to a changing magnetic
field, resulting in the formation of electromagnetic waves.

Speed of Electromagnetic Waves

 ● Travel fast at about 300,000 kilometers per second.
● At this speed, they can circle the Earth 8 times in one second.

The Electromagnetic Spectrum

● Range of EM waves ordered by increasing frequency and decreasing wavelength.

○ Includes: Radio waves, Microwaves, Infrared rays, Visible light, Ultraviolet rays, X-rays, Gamma
rays.

Relationship Between Frequency and Wavelength

● Inversely proportional relationship:

○ Longer wavelengths correspond to lower frequencies.
○ Shorter wavelengths correspond to higher frequencies.

○
○

Important Concepts to Remember

● Higher frequency means more energy in the wave.

● EM waves do not require a medium to travel.
● Transverse waves consist of vibrating electric and magnetic fields at right angles to each other and to wave
direction.

Radio Waves
 ● Wavelength: Longest in the electromagnetic spectrum.
● Characteristics:
○ Used for radio broadcasting, satellite communication, remote-controlled toys, and GPS.

Radio Broadcasting – A radio picks up radio waves and converts them into sound waves.

Satellite Communication – Radio waves send signals to satellites, which transmit back to Earth for processing.

Remote Controlled Toys – Operated using radio waves from a transmitter in the controller.

GPS – Measure travel time for radio waves to determine distance to satellites.

Microwaves

● Characteristics: Shorter wavelengths, higher frequencies than radio waves.

● Applications:
○ Used in microwave ovens for heating food by exciting water molecules.
○ MRI uses shortwaves for imaging. (magnetic resonance imaging)
○ Radar sends radio waves to measure object speed. (radio detection and ranging)

Review Questions

● Discuss important uses of radio and microwaves.

● Compare the application of radio waves and microwaves regarding distance covered.

Infrared Waves

● Invisible EM waves detected as heat.

● Wavelengths between 1mm & 750 billionths of a meter
● Every object gives off infrared waves (hotter objs give off more than cooler objs)
● Applications:
○ Night goggles, heat lamps, remote controls, and in astronomy for plant detection.

Uses of Infrared Waves

● Remote controls can send signals remotely.

● Thermal imaging capturing emitted heat for various purposes.
● Heating applications in space heaters.
● Communication systems utilize infrared in fiber optics.
● Astronomy includes studying celestial bodies' infrared emissions.
● Medical uses in therapy and thermography for diagnostics.

Visible Light

● Range visible to humans: 750 billionths to 400 billionths of a meter.

● Represents colors in the ROY G BIV spectrum (Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, Violet).
● Sunlight consists of all colors, serving as the primary source of visible light.
● Blue SHORTEST – Red LONGEST – White ALL COLORS PRESENT
 ●

Applications of Visible Light

● Artificial light sources (incandescent, LED, fluorescent).

● Lasers used in various applications such as presentations and medical treatments.
● Fireworks produce light through color emissions at various wavelengths.
● Screens and displays use red, green, and blue light for images.

Ultraviolet Waves

● EM waves with wavelengths from about 400 to 10 billionths of a meter.

● Energy allows entry into skin cells; poses risks like cancer.
● UVA LONGER WL – UVB rays SHORTER WL – BOTH causes skin cancer & blindness
● Useful for generating vitamin D and sterilization, sterilize medical supplies and equip, fluorescent powder for
fingerprints (absorbs UV & glows)

The Ozone Layer

● Absorbs harmful UV rays; situated 20-50 km above Earth.

● Decreasing thickness due to CFC emissions.

X-rays
 ● Shortest wavelength, highest frequency EM waves.
● High energy enables penetration through skin and muscle, used in medical imaging.
● High level exposure causes cancer
● Used in medicine, industry, and astronomy

Types of X-rays

● Soft X-rays: Longer wavelengths (0.12-12 nanometers), less energetic, used in medical imaging (chest &
dental).
● Hard X-rays: Short wavelengths (0.01-0.12 nanometers) and high energy, used in detailed imaging (security
scanners and industrial).

Gamma Rays

● Wavelengths shorter than 10 trillionths of a meter.

● Highest energy and can penetrate thick materials.
● Applications: Radiation therapy for cancer treatment, industrial applications, and astronomical observations.

Natural Sources of Gamma Rays

● Radioactive decay, gamma-ray bursts, and cosmic events produce gamma rays.

Applications of Gamma Rays

● Medical treatments like radiotherapy.

● Used for sterilization and in gamma-ray spectroscopy for material analysis.
● Observations through gamma-ray telescopes for astronomical research.

Understanding Light

What is Light?

● Light is a form of energy that enables vision.

How Does Light Allow You to See?

● Light travels in straight lines from a source to an object.

● It reflects off objects and enters the eyes, allowing perception of the object.

Sources of Light

Luminous Sources

● All light originates from luminous sources, which can be natural or artificial.

Natural Sources of Light

● Examples include:
○ Sun
○ Lightning
○ Meteor

Artificial Sources of Light

● Examples include:
○ Candles
○ Flashlights
○ Lamps
Types of Light

Incandescent Light

● Produced by high-temperature objects.

● Example: The Sun emits incandescent light, warming the Earth.

Luminescent Light

● Cold light emitted without heat.

● Example: Fireflies produce luminescent light through a chemical reaction in their bodies.

Properties of Light

How Does Light Travel?

● Light travels in straight lines and at high speed, approximately 186,000 miles or 299,792 kilometers per
second in a vacuum.
● Light slows down when passing through materials like air or water.

Luminous vs. Non-Luminous Objects

● Luminous objects: Produce their own light (e.g., the sun, bulbs).
● Non-luminous objects: Reflect light (e.g., the moon, a wall).

Shadows

● Shadows form where light is blocked.

● Characteristics: DARKNESS
○ Small light source = sharp shadow.
○ Comparable light source = fuzzy shadow.
● Terms: Umbra (darkest area) and Penumbra (grey area).

Summary of Properties of Light

1. Travels in straight lines.

2. Travels much faster than sound.
3. Objects are visible due to light reflection.
4. Shadows occur when light is blocked by an object.

Reflection

Basic Principles of Reflection

● Reflection happens when a wave bounces back from a barrier. Example: mirror reflection.

Factors Affecting Reflection

1. Surface: Smooth surfaces yield clear reflection; rough surfaces yield diffuse reflection.
 ●

●
2. Color: Light that is not reflected from the surface of an object may be absorbed by the object and converted
into thermal energy.
3. Shape: The object's shape affects how light is reflected.

Clear vs. Diffuse Reflection

● Clear Reflection: Occurs on smooth, shiny surfaces.

● Diffuse Reflection: Happens on rough, dull surfaces, scattering light in different directions.

Reflection from Water Surfaces

● Smooth water surfaces create clearer reflections compared to wavy surfaces.

Thermal Energy Absorption

● Objects that absorb unreflected light can become warmer (e.g., asphalt vs. concrete).

The Law of Reflection

● States that the angle of incidence equals the angle of reflection.

Types of Mirrors

Plane Mirrors

● Characteristics: Flat surface with straight reflection, resulting in an upright image of the same size.

Concave Mirrors

● Characteristics: Curves inward like a bowl.

Convex Mirrors

●
● Useful for broader fields of view.
Mirror Equation

● Used to calculate the relationship between object distance, image distance, and focal length.
● Symbols:
○ f = focal length
○ do = object distance
○ di = image distance
● Equation: 1/f = 1/do + 1/di

Sample Problems

Problem #1: Convex Mirror

● An object is 30 cm in front of a convex mirror.

● The image is formed 15 cm behind the mirror.
● Find the focal length of the mirror using the mirror equation.

Problem Solving Methodology: G-R-E-S-A

● G = Given (data provided)

● R = Required (what is needed)
● E = Equation (which formula to use)
● S = Solution (steps to solve)
● A = Answer (final result)

Problem #2: Concave Mirror

● An object is placed 20 cm in front of a concave mirror with a focal length of 15 cm.

● Find the image position using the mirror equation.

Magnification Equation

● Used to determine the size of the image relative to the object.

● Symbols:
○ M = magnification
○ hi = height of the image
○ ho = height of the object
○ di = image distance
○ do = object distance
● Ratio-based definition:
○ M = hi/ho = -di/do

Problem Example 1: Inverted Image Height

● An object placed 15 cm in front of a concave mirror (focal length = 10 cm).

● Determine the height of the object if the inverted image is located 30 cm in front of the mirror using the
magnification equation.
Problem Example 2: Convex Mirror Size

● A convex mirror with a focal length of 8 cm forms an image that is half the size of the object.
● If the object is located 24 cm in front of the mirror, find the height of the object.

Refraction

● Refraction is the bending of light when it passes from one medium to another (e.g., air to water, or air to
glass).

Colors in Refraction

● White light consists of various colors.

● Colors can be seen when light passes through different media (e.g., glass prism, raindrops).

Speed of Colors

● Each color in white light travels at different speeds in various materials.

● This variation causes colors to spread out, forming a colorful arc.

Lens

● Description of a circular transparent material with two polished surfaces, which may be convex or concave.

Convex Lens
 ● Definition: A lens that converges (brings together) light rays.
● Characteristics: Thicker in the center than at the edges.
● It can form real images and virtual images depending on the object's position.

Concave Lens

● Definition: A lens that diverges light rays.

● Characteristics: Thicker at the edges and thinner in the center.
● All images produced are erect and reduced (virtual, upright, demagnified).

In Real Life: Nearsighted vs. Farsighted

Nearsighted Condition

● Condition overview: Eyeball is too long, causing the image to focus in front of the retina.

Farsighted Condition

● Condition overview: Eyeball is too short, causing the image to focus behind the retina.
 ●

Lens Equation

● Overview of the lens equation used to calculate image distance when light refracts an object.
● Formula: 1/f = 1/do + 1/di

Sample Problem #1

● Problem statement: An object is located 55 cm in front of a convex lens. If the image is formed 10 cm behind
the lens, what is the focal length?

Magnification

● Definition: The ratio of image distance and object distance to the ratio of image height (hi) and object height
(ho).
● Formula: M = hi/ho = -di/do

Sample Magnification Problem

● Problem statement: Given an object's distance of 30 cm and a focal length of 20 cm, determine the
magnification.

Let's Practice!

● Problem 1: An object 8 cm tall is placed 30 cm from a converging lens. A real image is formed 15 cm from
the lens. Calculate the focal length and height of the image.

● Problem 2: A 10 cm high object is placed 30 cm from a 15 cm focal length converging lens. Determine the
image distance, magnification, and image height.