Electromagnetic Waves

    Cards (17)

    • What is the phenomenon called when light waves change direction as they pass from one medium to another?
      Refraction
    • Why do waves travel at different speeds in different materials?
      Because different materials have different densities
    • How does the density of a material affect the speed of electromagnetic waves like light?
      The higher the density of the material, the slower the wave will travel through it
    • What happens to a light wave when it travels from air into glass?
      It slows down and bends towards the normal
    • What is the normal line in the context of refraction?
      The normal is a dashed line perpendicular to the surface at the point of incidence
    • What occurs when a wave hits the boundary between two materials at an angle?
      The wave will be refracted, changing its direction
    • In a ray diagram, what should be drawn first when illustrating the refraction of light through glass?
      The normal line at the point of incidence
    • What is the refracted ray in a ray diagram?

      The line that represents the direction of the wave after it has bent due to refraction
    • What happens to the direction of a light ray when it passes from a more dense medium to a less dense medium?
      It speeds up and bends away from the normal
    • What do we call the ray that emerges from the glass after refraction?
      The emergent ray
    • What must be included in a ray diagram for refraction?
      The angle of incidence and the angle of refraction
    • According to the wave speed equation, what is the relationship between wave speed, frequency, and wavelength?
      Wave speed equals frequency times wavelength
    • What happens to the frequency of a wave as it passes from one medium to another?
      The frequency always stays the same
    • What changes when a wave's speed increases as it passes into a different medium?
      The wavelength must increase as well
    • How do different wavelengths of light behave when passing through a triangular prism?
      They are refracted by different amounts, spreading out like a rainbow
    • What are the steps to draw a proper ray diagram for refraction through glass?
      1. Draw the normal line at the point of incidence.
      2. Draw the incident ray.
      3. Determine the direction of the refracted ray based on the density change.
      4. Draw the refracted ray towards the normal.
      5. Repeat for the emergent ray as it exits the glass.
      6. Label the angles of incidence and refraction.
    • What are the key concepts related to the refraction of light waves?
      • Refraction occurs when light waves change direction at a boundary.
      • Waves travel at different speeds in different mediums due to density.
      • The normal line is perpendicular to the surface at the point of incidence.
      • The speed of light changes, affecting wavelength but not frequency.
      • Different wavelengths of light are refracted differently, creating a spectrum.
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