1. The Nature of Light Lesson 1
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2. What we know about light
Light travels in a straight line as it moves away from the source.
Light travels very fast. (186,000 miles/second)
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3. White light is made up of many colors
Light changes direction (refracts) when it encounters a different medium.
When light passes through a prism, it is separated into its spectrum (ROYGBIV).
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4. Approved for Public Release: NG17-1826, 9/15/17
What is light?
Light is made up of tiny packets of energy known as photons.
These photons travel as waves.
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5. What are the parts of a wave?
The top part of the wave is known as the crest.
The bottom of the wave is known as the trough.
The distance between two crests is known as a wavelength.
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What is frequency?
The frequency of a wave is defined as the number of wavelengths that pass a certain point in one second.
What is the frequency of this wave?
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7. Explore the relationship between wavelength and frequency
Copy and paste this address into your web browser to load the simulation:
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8. How are the colors of light different from each other?
Each color of light is made up of photons with different wavelengths and frequencies.
Using this information: Explain why light separates into its spectrum when it passes through a prism.
Approved for Public Release: NG , 9/15/17