3. Characteristics of a Wave
1. Frequency (Symbol: f Unit: Hertz, Hz)
- number of complete waves passing at a point every one second.
2. Amplitude (Symbol: A Unit: meter, m)
- the maximum distance of a wave from its rest position.
3. Wavelength (Symbol: λ Unit: meter, m)
- distance between two successive crests or troughs.
4. Speed of Light (Unit: meter per second, m/s)
- distance travelled by light per unit time
- all forms of electromagnetic radiation move at exactly the same
speed in vacuum
- speed of light = 3.0 x 108 m/s (in vacuum)
- formula: speed of light = wavelength x frequency
4. Characteristics of Light
A. Color
Visible light has wavelengths of 400 nanometer (nm)
and 750 nanometer (nm). These wavelengths are
represented by colors. Moreover, each color
corresponds to a specific range of frequency.
B. Intensity or Brightness is related to the wave’s
amplitude.
The height of the amplitude tells the brightness of light.
Thus, the higher amplitude corresponds to a brighter
light while lower amplitude corresponds to a dull light.
5. Sir Isaac Newton used a prism to show that light which we ordinarily
see as white consists of different colors. Dispersion is a
phenomenon in which a prism separates white light into its
component colors. When white light enters a prism and travels lower
in speed than in a vacuum, color separation is observed due to the
variation in the frequencies and wavelengths of color lights.
6.
7.
8.
9. Based on the diagram given, wavelength is
inversely proportional to frequency of
the wave. Waves with:
• higher frequencies have shorter wavelengths
• lower frequencies have longer wavelengths.
• When the frequency of visible light
increases, the wavelength decreases.
10. From the seven colors of light,
• the red color has the longest wavelength,
but it has the lowest frequency among the
light spectrum
• However, the violet color has the shortest
wavelength, but it has the highest
frequency.
11. The product between the wavelength and
frequency of each color of light is its speed. The
speed of light depends on its frequency and
wavelength. Each color travels at different speeds
when they travel through a medium such as air,
water, and solid materials.
12. All colors of light as well as the members of the EM
spectrum travel at common sped, called the speed
of light (c). The speed of light in vacuum is 3x10^8
m/s.
13. Light of any color can be made by mixing the three
additive primary colors: RED, BLUE, and GREEN
light colors and subtractive primary colors:
MAGENTA, CYAN and YELLOW light colors.
27. 1.Which color registers the highest frequency?
2.Which color has the shortest wavelength?
3.Which color registers the lowest frequency?
4.Which color has the longest wavelength?
5.Explain the relationship between the wavelength and
frequency of light?
