Chemistry

Chapter 5
 Wave Nature of Light

Visible light is a type of electromagnetic
radiation

It is a form of energy which exhibits
wavelike behavior as it travels through
space

Other examples of electromagnetic
radiation include microwaves, x-rays and
radio waves
 Electromagnetic Radiation

Made of photons

A photon is a discrete packet of
electromagnetic energy

The Energy can be calculated as either

E=hv or

E=hc/λ
 Characteristics of Waves

Wavelength (λ): Lambda is the shortest distance
between equivalent points on a continuous
wave, it is measured from crest to crest and is
usually expressed in meters

Frequency (v): Nu is the number of waves that
pass a given point per second. One Hertz (Hz:
The SI unit of frequency) equals one wave per
second.
 Wave Characteristics

Amplitude is the waves height from origin

to crest

Wavelength and frequency do not affect
the amplitude

Wavelength and frequency are inversely
proportional (as one increases the other
decreases)
Electromagnetic Wave Relationship

c = λv

c = the speed of light in a vacuum

λ = the wavelength

v = the frequency

All electromagnetic waves, including
visible light, travel at a speed of
3.00 x 108 m/s in a vacuum
 Relationships

c = λν

v = c/λ

λ = c/v

MHz = 106Hz

Hz = s-1

nm = 10-9m

c = 3.00 x 108m/s
Wavelength
Electromagnetic Waves

The visible light
spectrum is from
about 350nm
(violet) to 800nm
(red)

Blue is around
450nm

Below 350nm is
ultraviolet above
800nm is infra-red
 Calculations

 A radio station broadcasts at 122.0 MHz.

Calculate the wavelength of this
frequency.
 Calculate the frequency of a radiation
which is 614 nm in length.
 What color is this radiation?
 Particle Nature of Light

In addition to exhibiting wavelike behaviors,
light also behaves as a particle

As a result, when objects are heated they will
only emit electrons when light of a specific
frequency shines on them

Example: Iron is gray at room temperature,
glow red when heated, then orange and finally
blue at excessively high temperature
 Particle Nature

The different frequencies of the colors cannot be
explained by the wave nature of light, they are
explained by the gain or loss of energy

This energy is in the form of a Quantum

A Photon is a particle which carries a quantum
of energy

The energy of the photon depends on the
frequency
 Atomic Emission Spectra

Neon lights are explained by the wave model of
light

The light is produced by passing electricity
through the gas

If the light neon emits is passed through a prism
we don’t get the full range of colors like we do
with visible light

Instead we observe discrete lines which
correspond to the radiation emitted by neon
Separation of light by a prism
according to wavelength
Continuous, emission, and
absorption spectra