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Table of Contents
Light is a type of energy. It is a form of electromagnetic radiation of a wavelength that can be detected by the human eye. It is a small part of the electromagnetic spectrum and radiation given off by stars like the sun.
See the fact file below for more information on Light or alternatively, you can download our 31-page Light worksheet pack to utilise within the classroom or home environment.
Key Facts & Information
WHAT IS LIGHT?
- Light, also known as visible light, is electromagnetic radiation that falls within the range of the electromagnetic spectrum which is visible to the human eye.
- Despite the fact that light has been perceptible to humans since ancient times, Sir Isaac Newton was the first to fully comprehend its properties.
- Newton began his experiments on light in 1662 and was the first to recognize that white light is composed of a combination of different colored light rays.
- Wavelength and frequency are two properties of light. The number of waves that occur in a given period of time is measured in Hertz.
- The wavelength is defined as the distance between two points of a wave and is typically measured in nanometers.
- Light properties depict the relationship between light’s speed, wavelength, and frequency, the formula is c=ℷf, where:
- c represents the speed of light, ℷ as the light’s wavelength, and f represents frequency.
THE SPEED OF LIGHT
- Danish astronomer Ole Roemer was the first person to measure the speed of light in 1676.
- The speed of light in a vacuum is universal wherein it is significant in the field of physics. In other words, the speed of light is constant with an exact value of 299,792,458 meters per second. (300,000 km/s or 3.0 x 108 m/s).
HOW DOES LIGHT INTERACT WITH MATTER?
- Light and matter interact in a variety of ways; these include reflection, transmission, and absorption. It determines how everything around us appears.
- The photoelectric effect is also one example of how matter absorbs or interacts with light.
- Waves can interact with matter in three ways; these include reflection, refraction, and diffraction.
- When light falls on a surface and returns to the same medium, it is referred to as the reflection of light. The light is reflected by a highly polished surface or mirror.
- Furthermore, reflection occurs when light bounces off an opaque object. Examples include water sources, mirrors, steel metals, shining surfaces, and so on.
- The change in the path of light as it travels from one medium to another is referred to as refraction. The light ray bends toward normal as it moves from a rare to a denser medium. If, on the other hand, a light ray moves from a denser medium to a rarer medium, the light rays bend in the opposite direction, away from normal. Prisms, human eyes, diamonds, and eyes are all examples of light refraction.
THEORIES OF LIGHT
- Aristotle, an ancient Greek philosopher, believed that we see the world by transmitting something from our eyes and having it reflect off an object.
- According to history, the Ancient Greeks were the first to observe the light refraction boundary between two transparent media with different refractive indices.
- Light has been defined by six major theories over the last 3,000 years: the tactile theory, the emission theory, Newton’s corpuscular theory, Huygen’s wave theory, Maxwell’s electromagnetic theory, and Planck’s Quantum Theory.
- The tactile theory was founded on the ability to feel. According to the theory, the eye sent out invisible probes to ‘feel’ objects.
- On the other hand, The Emission theory was the exact opposite of tactile theory. The bright objects that emit beams of particles that bounce off other objects and enter the eye are referred to as emitters in emissions theory. The Emission theory had completely replaced the tactile theory by the 11th century.
- According to Newton’s corpuscular theory, the velocity of light varies with the density of the medium used. This theory also describes three major light phenomena: reflection, refraction, and rectilinear light propagation. The color of light, according to this theory, is also determined by the size of the corpuscles.
- According to Huygen’s wave theory, a source of light emits abnormalities in all directions. When these energy-carrying waves reach the eye, they activate the optic nerves, which results in the sensation of vision.
- At the end of the nineteenth century, Maxwell developed the electromagnetic theory by combining electricity, magnetism, and light into a single theory.
- Light, according to Maxwell, was an electromagnetic wave, which explains why it shared the same properties as other electromagnetic waves. Maxwell was able to calculate the speed of light using electrical and magnetic constants, and his calculations were very close to the accepted value.
- Planck’s Quantum Theory of Light was discovered while Planck was experimenting with black body radiation. Through this, he was able to observe that the absorption or radiation of energy is not a constant process. Planck proposed that thermal radiation is intermittently emitted or absorbed by undivided quantities of energy known as quantums.
THE MEANING OF LIGHT
- Outside science, light has spiritual meaning. The Christian Bible records in Genesis 1:3 that on the first day of creation: “God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light.”
- Muslims believe that angels are made of light. They serve as God’s messengers of loving encouragement to people.
- Through fireworks displays and candles, Hindus celebrate the hope of spiritual victories.
- The ancient Hanukkah miracle of lights is a Jewish holiday of hope by the lighting of candles on each day of the festival.
THE IMPORTANCE OF LIGHT ENERGY
- Light energy affects water temperature, biological processes of the Flora – photosynthesis and growth and Fauna – animal and human natural need for vision, growth, settlement, and overall survival.
- Natural Light – At the right amount, our skin absorbs Vitamin D and helps reduce seasonal depression, stress and anxiety, weight gain, and various cancers. Natural lighting also energizes power satellites and space stations and on earth, we use it for solar panels to convert into power and artificial lights.
- Artificial light – Is usually used for specific purposes such as:
- Night lights (residential homes, businesses, etc.)
- Photography, surgery, and other industrial needs.
- Supplemental for in-home and commercial plant growth.
- Religious purposes, festivals, and other celebrations
- Farming and agricultural purposes.
Light Worksheets
This is a fantastic bundle that includes everything you need to know about Light across 31 in-depth pages. These are ready-to-use worksheets that are perfect for teaching students about Light which is a type of energy. It is a form of electromagnetic radiation of a wavelength that can be detected by the human eye.
Complete List Of Included Worksheets
- Light Facts
- Sources of Light
- Speed of Light
- Truth in Colors
- Colors of Light
- Solar Light
- Uses of Light
- Light Tells Time
- Light Passing Through
- Reflection
- Light Wordsearch
- The Light
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Link will appear as Light Facts & Worksheets: https://kidskonnect.com - KidsKonnect, March 20, 2017
Use With Any Curriculum
These worksheets have been specifically designed for use with any international curriculum. You can use these worksheets as-is, or edit them using Google Slides to make them more specific to your own student ability levels and curriculum standards.