Properties of light

1. Speed of light is c =2.9979 x 108 m s-1.

c is an absolute constant and nothing
travels faster than c.
2. Light has two characteristics. It is a
wave and it can act as particles. This
is known as duality nature of light.
3. It is an electromagnetic wave which is
visible to our eyes as 7 colours.
 Properties of light
4. Since it is a wave, the following
characteristics of light are observed:
(a) Reflection
(b) Refraction
(c) Diffraction
(d) Interference
(e) Polarization
5. Light as a wave has the relationship:
c = fλ where f is frequency,
λ is wavelength
 Properties of light
5. When light acts as particles, they
are energy particles known as
photons.
6. The energy of photons:
E = nhf
where n is no. of photons
h is Planck constant
f is frequency of light
Light travels in a straight line

Laser

Laser
 Shadows
Shadows are places where light is “blocked”:

Rays of light
Light travels much faster than sound.
For examples:

1) Thunder and lightning

start at the same time,
but we will see the
lightning first.

2) When a starting pistol

is fired we see the
flare first and then
hear the bang.
Light is a visible electromagnetic wave
Electromagnetic Spectrum

Increasing Wavelength

Visible Light

400nm 500nm 600nm 700nm

 Reflection of Light

Reflection from a mirror:

Normal

Incident ray Reflected ray

Angle of Angle of
incidence reflection

Mirror
 The Law of Reflection

Angle of incidence = Angle of reflection

The
same !!!
We see things because they
reflect light into our eyes:

KKBI
 Luminous and non-luminous objects

A luminous object is one that produces light.

A non-luminous object is one that reflects light.

Luminous objects Reflectors

The sun The moon

Lamps Mirrors
 Clear 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
 Using mirrors
Two examples:

2) A car headlight

1) A periscope
Refraction of Light
 Laws of refraction
Normal
i
1. The incidence ray,
refraction ray and Vaccum/air
the normal all lie in
the same plane; glass
r
r

2. sin i
 constant, n
sin r
i
 The colours of the rainbow:

White
light Red
Orange
Yellow
Green
Blue
Indigo
Prism
Violet
i

rred
Wavelengths of colours
Diffraction
Diffraction of light
 Diffraction of light
a Diffraction pattern of light

At a slit

Around a circular disc

Around a razor blade

 Interference of light
fringes
interference occurs
where beams cross waves from
S1
lamp S1

S2

waves from
S2
 Polarization of Light
Polarization is the separation of a
beam of light so that the
vibrations are in one plane.
It is an exclusive property of
transverse waves.
When a light wave is produced, it
vibrates in many directions.
Polarization of Light
Photoelectric effect
 Photoelectric effect
Emax

0 fo f

-W Emax = hf - W
Emax = hf – W
W is the work function, i.e. the
energy required to release the
electrons;
But Emax = eV ,
Then eV = hf – W,
When eV = 0, W = hfo
∴ eV = hf – hfo
eV = h (f – fo)
Frequency and intensity of light
I/μA

V/V
 Lenses

Focal plane

f
 Angular magnification, M

ho ao

Angle subtended on the retina by an object,

ho
ao 
D

where D  25cm (normal eye vision)

 Angular magnification, M

h0
a1 
u

ho a1 f
f
u
a1
 Angular magnification, M 
a0
h0 D
 
u h0
D
M  Magnification of image at
u infinity
 M when u = f

ho a1 f
f

D
M 
f

Magnification of image at infinity

 Telescope

Eye
lens

Fe Fo

Real
Fe
image

Object lens

Fo – focal point of object lens

Virtual
image Fe – focal point of eye lens
 Magnification of Telescope at Normal
Adjustment

fo fe

Fe
ao Fo
ao a1 Fe
h

a1
M 
a0
h fo
  Image
fe h formed at
infinity
fo

fe Length of telescope is (fo+fe)
fo
M 
fe
 Microscope
Eye
lens

Fe
Object Fo
Fo Fe
Real
image

Object lens

Virtual
image
 Magnification of a microscope

Fe
ho Fo
Fo a1 Fe
h

h1

M  m0  me
 h0
Angle subtended at the retina to observe object, a0 
D
h1
Angle subtended at the retina using microscope, a1 
D
Magnificat ion of microscope ,
a1
M
a0
h1 D h0
  
D h0 h1 me and mo are the
h1 h ve v0 linear magnification
    of eye lens and object
h h0 u e u0
lens respectively
 M  me  m0
 Opera telescope

How does the image form in

the opera telescope?
 Opera telescope

Fe Fo

Object lens