Wave nature of light

Light is a transverse, electromagnetic wave that can be seen by the typical

human. The wave nature of light was first illustrated through experiments on diffraction and
interference. Like all electromagnetic waves, light can travel through a vacuum. The transverse
nature of light can be demonstrated through polarization.

Basic properties of waves: Amplitude, wavelength, and frequency

As you might already know, a wave has a trough (lowest point) and a crest (highest
point). The vertical distance between the tip of a crest and the wave’s central axis is known as
its amplitude. This is the property associated with the brightness, or intensity, of the wave. The
horizontal distance between two consecutive troughs or crests is known as the wavelength of
the wave. These lengths can be visualized as follows:

Keep in mind that some waves (including electromagnetic waves) also oscillate in space, and
therefore they are oscillating at a given position as time passes. The quantity known as the
wave’s frequency refers to the number of full wavelengths that pass by a given point in space
every second; the SI unit for frequency is Hertz (Hz) which is equivalent to “per seconds” (1/s or
S -1 )you might imagine, wavelength and frequency are inversely proportional: that is, the
shorter the wavelength, the higher the frequency, and vice versa. This relationship is given by
the following equation:

c= λν

where  the Greek lambda) is the wavelength (in meters, m) and ν (the Greek nu) is the
frequency (in Hertz, Hz). Their product is the constant c, the speed of light, which is equal
to 3.00x10 8 m/s. This relationship reflects an important fact: all electromagnetic radiation,
regardless of wavelength or frequency, travels at the speed of light.
EXAMPLE PROBLEMS:

A particular wave of electromagnetic radiation has a frequency of 1.5X1014 Hz. What is the
wavelength of this wave?

We can start with our equation that relates frequency, wavelength, and the speed of
light.

c= λν

Lastly, we plug in our given values and solve

The Electromagnetic Spectrum

The phrase “electromagnetic spectrum” is frequently referred to in the study of science.
In biology it is often part of the discussion of photosynthesis, the physiology of the eye, and mutagenic
sources. In earth and space science electromagnetic radiation is often part of a discussion of radioactive
minerals, cosmic rays being deflected by the earth’s magnetic field, In chemistry the spectrum is often
discussed when talking about evidence for different electron energy levels and characteristics properties
of elements.

All of these are "electromagnetic waves". This means that although they appear to be very different, in
fact they're all made of the same kind of vibrations - but at different . All electromagnetic waves travel at
the same speed - 300,000,000 metres per second, which is the speed of light.

GAMMA RAYS
How they are made:
Gamma rays are given off by stars, and by some radioactive substances. They are extremely high
frequency waves, and carry a large amount of energy. They pass through most materials, and are quite
difficult to stop - you need lead or concrete in order to block them out.
Uses:
Because Gamma rays can kill living cells, they are used to kill cancer cells without having to resort to
difficult surgery. This is called "Radiotherapy", and works because cancer cells can't repair themselves
like healthy cells can when damaged by gamma rays. Getting the dose right is very important!

X-RAYS
How they are made:
X-rays are very high frequency waves, and carry a lot of energy. They will pass through most substances,
and this makes them useful in medicine and industry to see inside things. X-rays are given off by stars,
and strongly by some types of nebula. When we use X-rays, we make them by firing a beam of electrons
at a "target". If we fire the electrons with enough energy, X-rays will be produced
Uses:
X-rays are used by doctors to see inside people. They pass easily through soft tissues, but not so easily
through bones. We send a beam of X-Rays through the patient and onto a piece of film, which goes dark
where X-Rays hit it. This leaves white patches on the film where the bones were in the way.

ULTRA-VIOLET
How they are made:
Ultra-Violet light is made by special lamps, for example, on sun beds. It is also given off by the Sun in
large quantities. We call it "UV" for short
Uses:
for UV light include getting a sun tan, detecting forged bank notes in shops, and hardening some types
of dental filling. You also see UV lamps in discos, where they make your clothes glow. This happens
because substances in washing powder "fluoresce" when UV light strikes them. When you mark your
possessions with a security marker pen, the ink is invisible unless you shine a UV lamp at.

VISIBLE LIGHT
How it is made:
Our eyes can detect only a tiny part of the electromagnetic spectrum, called visible light. This means
that there's a great deal happening around us that we're simply not aware of, unless we have
instruments to detect it. Light waves are given off by anything that's hot enough to glow. This is how light
bulbs work - an electric current heats the lamp filament to around 3,000 degrees, and it glows white-hot.
The surface of the Sun is around 5,600 degrees, and it gives off a great deal of light.
Uses:
We use light to see things! As the Sun sends so much light towards our planet, we've evolved to make
use of those particular wavelengths in order to sense our environment. Light waves can also be made
using a laser. This works differently to a light bulb, and produces "coherent" light. Lasers are used in
Compact Disc players, where the light is reflected from the tiny pits in the disc, and the pattern is
detected and translated into sound or data. Lasers are also used in laser printers, and in aircraft weapon
aiming systems
INFARED LIGHT
How they are made:
Infra-red waves are just below visible red light in the electromagnetic spectrum ("Infra" means "below").
You probably think of Infra-red waves as heat, because they're given off by hot objects, and you can feel
them as warmth on your skin. Infra-Red waves are also given off by stars, lamps, flames and anything
else that's warm - including you.
Uses:
Infra-red waves are called "IR" for short. They are used for many tasks, for example, remote controls for
TVs and video recorders, and physiotherapists use heat lamps to help heal sports injuries
MICROWAVES
How they are made:
Microwaves are basically extremely high frequency radio waves, and are made by various types of
transmitter. In a mobile phone, they're made by a transmitter chip and an antenna, in a microwave oven
they're made by a "magnetron". Their wavelength is usually a couple of centimetres. Stars also give off
microwaves.
Uses:
Microwaves cause water and fat molecules to vibrate, which makes the substances hot. Thus we can use
microwaves to cook many types of food. Mobile phones use microwaves, as they can be generated by a
small antenna, which means that the phone doesn't need to be very big. The drawback is that, being
small, they can't put out much power, and they also need a line of sight to the transmitter. This means
that mobile phone companies need to have many transmitter towers if they're going to attract
customers
RADIOWAVES
How they are made:
Radio waves are made by various types of transmitter, depending on the wavelength. They are also
given off by stars, sparks and lightning, which is why you hear interference on your radio in a
thunderstorm.
Uses:
Radio waves are the lowest frequencies in the electromagnetic spectrum, and are used mainly for
communications.