What Is Light? 11.

1
What would Earth be like without light from the Sun? Sunlight is the
energy that makes life possible on Earth. The Sun is our closest star—about
1.50 × 108 km from Earth. That is nearly 400 times farther than the Moon.
The nuclear reactions that occur within the Sun produce tremendous
amounts of energy (Figure 1). One form this energy takes is light, which
the Sun emits in all directions through the vacuum of outer space.
Earth captures only a tiny fraction of the Sun’s light. That little fraction,
however, provides just enough energy to heat Earth’s surface and allow
photosynthesis to occur, both in the oceans and on land. From plankton
blooms in the ocean to forests on land, plants are the basis of the food
chain for almost all organisms on Earth (Figure 2).
Figure 1 The Sun releases a great
deal of energy as a result of its nuclear
reactions.

To learn more about the different

types of energy produced by the
Sun and how the Sun works,
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WRITIng Tip
Writing a Persuasive Text
Use the first paragraph to identify the
topic and state your main idea/opinion
concisely. For example, if you are
writing about plants being the basis of
the food chain, you could begin: “Light
from the Sun enables plants on Earth to
grow. Without plants, humans and other
animals would starve.”

Figure 2  A satellite view of a phytoplankton bloom off the coast of Vancouver Island. Phytoplankton  DID YOU KNOW?

are tiny photosynthesizing organisms that live in the oceans. They produce about half of all the
oxygen produced by plants on Earth. The Energy of Light
Scientists call a small packet of light
energy a photon. The term “photon”
For centuries, scientists have tried to understand the nature of light and
was coined by American chemist
its properties. Some of these properties are easily observable. For example, Gilbert Lewis in 1926, and was based
light travels at a very high speed. When you turn on the light switch in on the Greek word for “light.” Science
a room, the room immediately fills with light. Light travels so fast that fiction films have made use of this
something travelling at the speed of light could circle Earth’s equator about term (for example, photon torpedoes
and photonic cannon).
7.5 times in just one second.

NEL 11.1 What Is Light? 463

 DID YOU KNOW?
The Imaginary Ether
In the 19th century, scientists thought
that a luminiferous (“light-carrying”)
substance, called ether, was necessary
for light to travel through outer space.
Today, scientists know that light is an
electromagnetic wave and does not
require a medium to travel through the
vacuum of outer space.
medium any physical substance through
which energy can be transferred
radiation a method of energy transfer
that does not require a medium; the
energy travels at the speed of light
electromagnetic wave a wave that has
both electric and magnetic parts, does
not require a medium, and travels at the
speed of light
DID YOU KNOW?
X—the Unknown
Roentgen called the rays that he
discovered in 1895 “X-rays” because
he did not initially know what they
were. The “X” stood for unknown.
Today, the German word for X-ray is
“Roentgen.”
464 Chapter 11 • The Production and Reflection of Light
Light also travels in straight lines. When you turn on a flashlight in a
dark room with dust in the air, you can see a beam of light travelling in
a straight line (Figure 3). Sharp shadows around objects such as trees or
railings are also evidence of the straight-line nature of light. In fact, that is
why you can see Earth’s shadow on the Moon during a lunar eclipse. But
what exactly is light?
Figure 3 A flashlight shows very clearly that light travels in straight lines.
Light—An Electromagnetic Wave
Recall that heat energy can be transferred by either conduction or
convection. Both methods involve particles to transfer heat. That is,
conduction and convection require a medium for transmission. A medium
is any physical substance that acts as a carrier for the transmission of
energy. Conduction occurs most often in solids, whereas liquids and gases
are often good carriers for convection. Light, however, travels through the
vacuum of outer space. This means that light does not require a medium
for transmission. Instead, light energy is transferred through radiation.
In 1801, English physicist Thomas Young demonstrated that, under
certain conditions, light shows wave-like properties. In 1864, James Clerk
Maxwell (Figure 4), another English physicist, predicted that electricity
and magnetism couple together, in an incredibly fast game of hop-skip-
jump, to form a chain travelling through
space. He also predicted that the resulting
electromagnetic wave does not require
a medium for transmission and that
this wave travels at the speed of light.
Unfortunately, Maxwell died at the
young age of 48 and did not live
to see his prediction confirmed. Proof
of the existence of electromagnetic
waves came in 1887 when German
physicist Heinrich Hertz discovered
low-energy electromagnetic waves that
we now call radio waves. Additional proof
came in 1895 when William Konrad
Roentgen, another German scientist, Figure 4  James Clerk Maxwell 
discovered high-energy electromagnetic (1831–1879) predicted the existence
waves called X-rays. of electromagnetic waves.
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 Today, scientists have identified many different kinds of electromagnetic visible light electromagnetic waves that
waves in addition to radio waves and X-rays. Microwaves, radar, and the human eye can detect

ultraviolet light are a few examples of other electromagnetic waves. Visible electromagnetic spectrum the
light is any electromagnetic wave that the human eye can detect. Scientists classification of electromagnetic waves
by energy
classify electromagnetic waves based on the energy of the waves. This
classification system is called the electromagnetic spectrum (Figure 5).

visible light
radio waves microwaves infrared light ultraviolet light X rays gamma rays

increasing energy
Figure 5 The electromagnetic spectrum. Note the different categories as the energy of the
electromagnetic wave increases.

RESEARCH THIS PROTECTIng YOURSELF FROM THE SUn

SKILLS HANDBOOK
SKILLS:  Researching, Analyzing the Issue, Communicating, Evaluating 4.A, 4.C.5.
In recent years, newspapers, radio, and TV have been regularly  2. Research the rating scale that has been set up to determine
providing updates on how safe it is to go unprotected in the safe exposure limits.
Sun, particularly in the summer. In this activity, you will research 3. Research what you can do to protect yourself from
why exposure to the Sun and to tanning lamps is now a health overexposure to the Sun.
concern. You will also investigate the rating scale used to
4. Research the type of light emitted by tanning lamps. Find out
determine safe limits of exposure and how to protect yourself
the health concerns associated with exposure to these lamps.
from overexposure (Figure 6).
GO TO NELSON SCIENCE

A. Why is some exposure to the Sun necessary? T/I

B. Why can overexposure to the Sun be a health risk? T/I
  C.  Explain how the UV index has been set up.  T/I
  D.  What is the difference between UVA and UVB?  T/I
  E.  What does SPF mean?  T/I
F. How is sunblock different from sunscreen? T/I
G. List the criteria that you would use to choose the best type of
sunscreen for yourself. T/I
H. List other things that you can do to protect yourself from
Figure 6
overexposure to the Sun. T/I
1. Research why extended sun exposure can be hazardous to   I.  Compare exposure to tanning lamps with Sun exposure.  T/I
your health. Find out some positive benefits of moderate sun   J.  Create an information poster or brochure to educate people 
exposure. about protecting themselves from the Sun. T/I A C

NEL 11.1 What Is Light? 465

 DID YOU KNOW? Electromagnetic Waves in Our Society
Adaptation Affects Detection Electromagnetic waves have many uses. Table 1 shows some of the uses and
A bee’s eyes are adapted to detect
natural phenomena that involve electromagnetic waves.
ultraviolet light when locating flowers.
Similarly, the human eye is adapted to
Table 1 The Many Uses of Electromagnetic Waves
detect visible light but not other types of
electromagnetic waves. Being unable to Type of
see other electromagnetic waves does electromagnetic wave Use/phenomena
not mean that they are not there or that
you are not affected by them. radio waves •  AM/FM radio
•  TV signals
•  cellphone communication
•  radar
WRITIng Tip •  astronomy (for example, discovery of pulsars)
Writing a Persuasive Text
Use facts, statistics, examples, or
microwaves •  telecommunications
reasons to support your main idea. For
•  microwave ovens
example, in a persuasive essay about
•  astronomy (for example, background radiation associated 
the benefits of electromagnetic waves,
with the Big Bang)
you might include supporting details
from a variety of sources.

infrared light •  remote controls (for example, DVD players and 

game controllers)
•  lasers
•  heat detection (for example, leakage from windows, roofs) 
and remote sensing
•  keeps food warm (in fast-food restaurants)
•  astronomy (for example, discovering the chemical 
composition of celestial bodies)
•  physical therapy
increasing energy

visible light •   human vision

•  theatre/concert lighting
•  rainbows
•  visible lasers
•  astronomy (for example, optical telescopes, discovering 
the chemical composition of celestial bodies)

ultraviolet light •  causes skin to tan and sunburn

•  increases risk of developing skin cancer
•  stimulates production of vitamin D
•  kills bacteria in food and water (sterilization)
•  “black” lights
•  ultraviolet lasers
•  astronomy (for example, discovering the chemical 
composition of celestial bodies)

X-rays •  medical imaging (for example, of teeth and broken bones)
•  security equipment (for example, scanning of luggage at 
airports)
•  cancer treatment
•  astronomy (for example, study of binary star systems, 
black holes, the centres of galaxies)
gamma rays •  cancer treatment
•  astronomy (for example, study of nuclear processes 
in the universe)
•  product of some nuclear decay

466 Chapter 11 • The Production and Reflection of Light NEL

The Colours Associated with Visible Light
White visible light is composed of a continuous sequence of colours.
This colour sequence is called the visible spectrum (Figure 7). visible spectrum the continuous
Traditionally, seven distinct colours have been identified: red, orange, sequence of colours that make up
white light
yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet.
Observe the colours in white light by doing the “Viewing the Visible
Spectrum” activity.

increasing energy
Figure 7  The visible spectrum for white light. Can you see the seven traditional colours that 
Newton identified?

T RY THIS VIEWIng THE VISIBLE SPECTRUM

SKILLS MENU:  Predicting, Observing, Analyzing, Communicating SKILLS HANDBOOK
1.B.
Equipment and Materials: a ray box; two triangular prisms;
a sheet of white paper
Part A Part B
  1.  Place one prism on a sheet of paper. Trace its outline.   3.  Predict whether or not prisms can be used to recombine a 
When handling the triangular glass prism, take care not to spectrum back into a beam of white light. If this is possible,
cut your fingers if it is chipped. how many prisms do you think would be needed?

2. Shine a single beam of light from the ray box on one side of
the prism (Figure 8). Adjust the position of the ray box until
a clear spectrum is visible on the other side of the prism.
Identify the colours that you can clearly see in the spectrum.
Mark the location of each colour on the paper. Note that the
spectrum is easier to observe if the room is dark.
4. Test your prediction by using a variety of prisms to first
create a spectrum, and then to attempt to reform the beam
of white light. Experiment with different numbers and
arrangements of prisms. Figure 9 illustrates just one of
many possible arrangements.

When unplugging the ray box, do not pull the electric cord.
Pull the plug itself.

Figure 9

5. Make careful drawings of any successful prism

arrangements.
Figure 8   C.  Were your predictions correct? Explain.  T/I
D. Make a general statement about the composition of white
A. How many of the seven colours that Newton identified were
light. T/I
you able to see? Discuss with your lab partner why all of the
seven colours might not be clearly visible. K/U T/I
B. Write down an example in nature where you can see a similar
visible spectrum. Share your example with your lab partner. A

NEL 11.1 What Is Light? 467

 LEARnIng Tip
Remembering a Sequence
A mnemonic is a word technique to help
remember a more complicated sequence.
The fi ctitious name ROY G. BIV is a 
mnemonic to remember the order of
colours in white visible light: Red, Orange,
Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, and Violet.
Can you think of another way to remember  within the prism, each of these colours
this colour sequence?
To learn more about Newton’s
life and work,
GO TO NELSON SCIENCE
DID YOU KNOW?
Invisible Energy
In 1800, German-born astronomer
William Herschel placed a thermometer
in the path of each colour of the visible
spectrum in order to measure the
temperature associated with it. He was
quite surprised when he placed his
thermometer in the dark region beyond
the red light and noticed a higher
temperature than any temperature
in the spectrum. Herschel concluded
that there must be an invisible form of
energy next to visible red light. He had
discovered infrared light. The prefix
“infra” means “below.”
Figure 11  The galaxy Centaurus A 
appears quite different when examined
using X-rays, visible light, or radio
waves. A composite photo combining all
three electromagnetic rays gives a more
complete view of Centaurus A.
468 Chapter 11 • The Production and Reflection of Light
The previous experiment is similar to one
performed by English physicist Isaac Newton
(Figure 10) in 1666. As you discovered in the
activity, a triangular prism slows down the
speed of light. In a vacuum, each colour
of the visible spectrum travels at the
same high speed: the speed of light. But
travels at a slower speed than the speed
of light in a vacuum. Red light, the least
energetic, is slowed the least, whereas violet
light, the most energetic, is slowed the most.
That is why a prism can separate white
light into different colours. The behaviour
Figure 10 Isaac Newton (1642–1727)
of light entering glass is discussed in more was the first person to separate white
detail in the next chapter. light into the visible spectrum.
Newton was the first scientist to state
that seven distinct colours were visible in white light. He coined the term
“spectrum” to describe them, which means “appearance” in Latin. Some
people have difficulty identifying indigo as a separate colour between blue
and violet.
The Surprising Universe
For centuries, visible light was the only tool that astronomers could use
to probe the universe. Today, when astronomers look at an image of a
galaxy photographed using X-rays, they see a completely different picture
than if they looked at the same galaxy using visible light (Figure 11).
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Scientists now realize that visible light provides only limited information
about the universe. By using other parts of the electromagnetic spectrum to
collect and analyze data about stars and galaxies, scientists have discovered To learn more about telescopes
that the universe is a far more violent and surprising place than they had that do not use visible light,
imagined. GO TO NELSON SCIENCE

In SUMMARY
• Electromagnetic waves travel at the speed of light • The electromagnetic spectrum consists of light
in a vacuum and do not require a medium for listed according to its different energy levels. The
transmission. order from least energy to most energy is radio
• Light is an electromagnetic wave. waves, microwaves, infrared light, visible light,
ultraviolet light, X-rays, and gamma rays.
• White light is composed of a continuous
spectrum of colours.

CHECK YOUR LEARnIng

1. In terms of heat transfer, how is radiation different from  10.  Prepare a mind map listing as many physical 
conduction and convection? K/U properties for light as you can. Base your mind map on
2. What two major properties did Maxwell predict that Figure 12. T/I C
electromagnetic waves would possess? K/U
3. What two discoveries confirmed the existence of
electromagnetic waves? K/U
4. Write these electromagnetic waves in order from lowest
energy to highest energy: infrared light, X-rays, red light,
gamma rays, and microwaves. K/U
5. Sunscreen, if used properly, can protect you from getting
a sunburn. From which electromagnetic waves must
sunscreen protect the skin? K/U
6. List the seven colours that Newton identified in the visible
spectrum of white light. K/U
7. Why is it useful to examine the universe using parts
of the electromagnetic spectrum other than visible
light? K/U A
8. List some devices that you have used or plan to use today
that involve electromagnetic waves. K/U A
Figure 12
9. Match each electromagnetic wave from column A with the
term from column B that is most closely related. K/U A 11. Briefly describe how you could demonstrate that white
light is composed of many different colours. C
Column A Column B
(a) X–rays vitamin D
(b) ultraviolet light telecommunications
(c) radio waves cancer treatment
(d) infrared light radar
(e) microwaves theatre/concert effects
(f) amma rays baggage screening
  (g)  visible light  DVD player remote control
Ontario Science 10 SB
0-17-635528-6
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FN C11-F49-UDOS10SB 11.1 What Is Light? 469
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