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Light is essentially an energy particle that has no mass and moves at high speed. Light travels as transverse waves which are faster than sound Light travels in straight lines, amd It can be reflected, refracted and dispersed Unlike sound waves, light waves can travel through a vacuum (empty space) they can also travel through transparent and translucent substances.
The speed of light :
Light travels extremely quickly. Its maximum speed is approximately 300,000,000 m/s.For perspective the speed of light in air is almost 300,000,000 m/s and the speed of sound in air is 343 m/s.This explains why you see lightnig before you hear it. |
Refraction And Reflection
Refraction is essentially the bending of a light or sound wave and the way the light bends when entering the eye to form an image An example of refraction is a bending of the sun's rays as they enter raindrops, forming a rainbow. An example of refraction is a prism.
Reflection on the other hand is essentially when light bounces off an object.The angle of incidence is the same as the angle of reflection. This is the law of reflection. So, if a wave hits a mirror at an angle of 45°, it will be reflected at 45°. Rough surfaces scatter sound whereas Smooth surfaces produce strong echoes when sound waves hit them, and they can act as mirrors when light waves hit them. The waves are reflected and it can can form an image.
Spectrum of colour
White light can be split up into a spectrum of many different colors. Using a prism, you can split up white light to form a spectrum. The light waves are refracted as they enter and leave the prism. The shorter the wavelength of the light, the more it is refracted. As a result, red light is refracted the least and violet light is refracted the most, causing the coloured light to spread out to form a spectrum.
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