visible light

• what is visible light?

  • the range of wavelengths which are visible to humans
  • only part of the spectrum detectable by the human eye
• Red

  • has the longest wavelength and the lowest frequency and energy
• violet

  • shortest wavelength and highest frequency and energy
• wavelength and frequency are inversely proportional, what does that mean?

  • an increase in wavelength is a decrease in a frequency (towards the red end of the spectrum)
  • a decrease in wavelength is an increase in frequency ( towards the violet end of the spectrum)
• which colour of visible light causes the greatest temp rise?

  red
• similarities between visible light and x rays

  • travel at the speed of lights in a vacuum
  • electromagnetic waves
  • transverse waves so they transfer energy
• differences between visible light and x rays

  • visible light has lower frequencies then x rays
  • x rays have higher energy
  • x rays are absorbed by the atmosphere but visible light is not