Properties of Light

LIGHT
Electromagnetic waves
Electromagnetic radiation is a form of energy
emitted by moving charged particles. As it
travels through space, it behaves like a wave
and has an oscillating electric field component
and an oscillating magnetic field. These waves
oscillate perpendicular to and in phase with one
another. (Lumen, Boundless Physics)
Properties of Wave
Wavelength and frequency are properties that may be
used to describe electromagnetic wave. Wavelength is the
distance from one crest to the next which can be
measured in meters. Frequency is the number of waves
that passes by a given point each second. These two
properties are inversely proportional to each other and
may vary for every type of EM radiation. The speed of
electromagnetic waves in a vacuum remains constant at
3.0 x 108 m/sec, the speed of light
The wavelength or frequency of EM wave can
be calculated using the equation below:
c=λf
where: c = the constant 3.0 x 108 m/sec (the speed of light in a
vacuum)
λ = wavelength in meters (m)
f = frequency in hertz (1/s)
Sample Problem
Find the wavelengths of yellow
light whose frequency is 5 x 10 14
Hz.
What is the frequency of green
light that has a wavelength of 5.5 x
10-7 m?
PROPERTIES OF LIGHT
 Reflection
 Refraction
 Dispersion
 Interference
 Diffraction
Reflection
Reflection
Reflection
The rebounding of wave

from the surface of a
medium
Bouncing of light waves
(for light)
Types of Reflection
 In specular reflection each incident ray bounces off in a
single direction.
 Also called as regular reflection.
Ex. Mirror, a piece of metal and undisturbed water
Types of Reflection
 A surface that is not shiny creates diffuse reflection.
 In diffuse reflection, a single ray of light scatters into many
directions.
Specular vs. Diffuse Reflection
 Smooth, shiny surfaces have a clear

reflection:
Rough, dull surfaces have a

diffuse reflection.
Diffuse reflection is when light

is scattered in different
directions
Reflection
 Reflection from a mirror:
Normal
Incident ray Reflected ray
Angle of incidence Angle of

reflection
Mirror
Law of Reflection
The incident ray
strikes the mirror.
The reflected ray
bounces off.
The angle of
incidence equals
the angle of
reflection.
Refraction
 Light rays may bend
as they cross a
boundary from one
material to another,
like from air to water.
 Thisbending of light
rays is known as
refraction
Refraction
 The light rays from
the straw are refracted
(or bent) when they
cross from water back
into air before
reaching your eyes.
Refraction
When a ray of light crosses from one material to another, the

amount it bends depends on the difference in index of refraction
between the two materials.
Refraction of light
1.When a ray of light passes obliquely from
an optically denser medium to a less
dense medium, it is refracted away from
the normal.
2.When a ray of light passes obliquely from
an optically less dense medium to denser
medium, it is refracted toward the
normal.
3. At perpendicular incidence, no bending
of light ray occurs.
Index of refraction
The ability of a material to bend rays of light is described by the index of

refraction (n).
Index of Refraction
 The ratio of the speed of light in a vacuum to its
speed in a medium is the index of refraction.
n=c/v
n= index of refraction
c= speed of light (3.0 x 108 m/s)
v= speed of light in another material (m/s)
Sample problem
 Findthe index of refraction of crown
glass. The speed of light in crown glass is
2.0 x 108 m/s.
 What is the speed of light in water?
 The speed of light in one material is 2.07

x 108 m/s. What is the index of refraction
of the material?
Snell's law of refraction
 Snell’s law is the relationship between the angles of incidence

and refraction and the index of refraction of both materials.
Angle of incidence Angle of refraction

(degrees) (degrees)
ni sin Qi = nr sin Qr
Index of
refraction of Index of
incident material refraction of
refractive
material
Snell's law of refraction
sin θ1 = v1
sin θ2 v2
Sample Problem
1.Light in air is incident on a piece of crown glass at an angle

of 370 ( relative to the normal). What is the angle of
refraction on the glass?
2. A beam of light traveling in air is incident in air is incident
on a transparent plastic material at an angle of incidence of
500. The angle of refraction is 350. What is the index of
refraction of the plastic?
Sample Problem
3. A beam of parallel light enters a block of ice at an angle of

incidence of 300. What is the angle of refraction on the ice?
4. A light ray is incident at an angle of 450 on one side of a
glass plate of index of refraction 1.6. Find the angle of
which the ray emerges from the other side of the plate?
Seatwork
 A ray of light traveling through air is incident on a smooth

surface of water at an angle of 30° to the normal. Calculate
the angle of refraction for the ray as it enters the water.
Reraction: Application
 MIRAGE –an apparent shift in the position of objects

caused by refraction of light in different densities.
 Twinkling of stars
 Apparent depth
The colours of the rainbow:
 Red
 Orange
 Yellow
 Green
 Blue
 Indigo
 Violet
17.1 Dispersion and prisms
 When white light passes through a glass prism, blue is bent more than red.
 Colors between blue and red are bent proportional to their position in the spectrum.
17.1 Dispersion and prisms
 The variation in refractive

index with color is called
dispersion.
 A rainbow is an example of
dispersion in nature.
 Tiny rain droplets act as
prisms separating the colors
in the white light rays from
the sun.
Colors
Color Wavelength (m) Frequency (Hz)
RED 6.2 X 10-7 4.8 X 10 14
ORANGE 6.0 x 10-7 5.0 x 10 14
YELLOW 5.8 x 10-7 5.2 x 10 14
GREEN 5.4 x 10 -7 5.5 x 1014
BLUE 4.8 x 10 -7 6.3 x 1014
VIOLET 4.4 x 10-7 6.8 x 1014
Dispersion
 Monochromatic- light of a single frequency

Ex. LASER ( Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of
Radiation)
Polychromatic- light of different frequencies are combined

Ex. White light
Interference
 Results when two waves meet to

combine constructively or
destructively.
Ex. Light reflected by the inner and outer
surfaces of a soap bubble interferes
with itself and gives bubbles its
colorful appearance.
Interference
Diffraction
The dispersion of light waves

behind an obstruction in the
path of white light.
Polarization
 Light waves whose vibrations are

confined to parallel planes are said to
be POLARIZED. Polarized light can
be produced by transmission through
certain crystals aligned in a particular
direction.
Polarization
Polarization
Thank You! 

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LIGHT

The rebounding of wave

 Smooth, shiny surfaces have a clear

Rough, dull surfaces have a

Diffuse reflection is when light

Incident ray Reflected ray

Angle of incidence Angle of

When a ray of light crosses from one material to another, the

The ability of a material to bend rays of light is described by the index of

 What is the speed of light in water?

 The speed of light in one material is 2.07

 Snell’s law is the relationship between the angles of incidence

Angle of incidence Angle of refraction

1.Light in air is incident on a piece of crown glass at an angle

3. A beam of parallel light enters a block of ice at an angle of

 A ray of light traveling through air is incident on a smooth

 MIRAGE –an apparent shift in the position of objects

 The variation in refractive

 Monochromatic- light of a single frequency

Polychromatic- light of different frequencies are combined

 Results when two waves meet to

The dispersion of light waves

 Light waves whose vibrations are

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