Introduction To Light Waves - SS3 Physics Lesson Note

Light waves are a form of electromagnetic radiation that can travel through a vacuum or through a medium, such as air or water. Light waves are produced by the motion of charged particles, such as electrons, and they are characterized by their wavelength and frequency.

Visible light, which is the portion of the electromagnetic spectrum that can be seen by the human eye, has a wavelength range of approximately 400 to 700 nanometers (nm). Red light has the longest wavelength, while violet light has the shortest. Other forms of electromagnetic radiation, such as radio waves, microwaves, infrared radiation, ultraviolet radiation, X-rays, and gamma rays, have longer or shorter wavelengths than visible light and are not visible to the human eye.

Light waves can exhibit several different behaviors, including reflection, refraction, diffraction, and interference. These behaviors allow light waves to interact with matter in complex ways and play important roles in a wide range of scientific and technological applications, including optics, spectroscopy, and telecommunications.

The study of light waves and their properties is known as optics. It encompasses a wide range of topics, including the behavior of light in different mediums, the properties of lenses and mirrors, and the interactions between light and matter.