Science Notes

20/7/2023

Electromagnetic waves are transverse

Parts of a wave
Peak
Wavelength

Amplitude

undisturbed
position

Trough

Label the wave using the words trough, peak, wavelength, amplitude

Use these words to complete the paragraph below

peaks energy frequency pitch two

wavelength hertz crest amplitude colour

The distance between two consecutive peaks of a wave is called the wavelength of
the wave. The furthest point of wave above the undisturbed position is called the
peak or crest of the wave. The furthest point of a wave below the undisturbed
position is called the trough of the wave. The height of a peak measured from the
undisturbed position is called the amplitude of the wave. There are two complete
waves in this diagram. The number of complete waves passing a point per second is
called the frequency of the wave and is measured in hertz.

All waves carry energy from one place to another. The wavelength, frequency and
amplitude affect the properties of the wave. For example, the wavelength and
frequency of a sound wave affect the sound’s pitch. The wavelength and frequency
of a light wave affect the light’s colour. The amplitude of the wave affects the
intensity of the wave, eg the brightness of a light wave or loudness of a sound.

Reflection
- Light can be reflected when it encounters a
surface.
 The incoming and reflected angles of
light rays are equal.
- These angles are measured from animaginary
line called the normal.

Angle of incidence = angle of reflection

I=r

LiDAR
LiDAR is an acronym for Light Detection and Ranging

How does LiDAR work?

Refraction

 Some substances allow light to pass through them.

 Light bends when it travels from one transparent
substance into another (called refraction)
 Refraction is a result of the speed of light changing as
it passes from on substance into another.

increasing
refractive index
air water perspex glass diamond
300 225 201 197 124

speed of light (x 1000 km/s) slower speed

Which way does it bend?

- Light travels fastest in a vacuum
- When light enters a denser medium with a higher refractive index, its speed slows down.
- As a result, the light bends towards the normal.
- If the light travels into a substance with a lower refractive index, the light bends away
from the normal.
- One exception is when the light hits perpendicular to the boundary. Here the light’s
speed still changes, but it does not bend.

21/7/2023

Total Internal Reflection

- Light doesn’t always refract when it hits a
boundary,
- Sometimes it reflects instead – known as
total internal reflection.
- This occurs when the angle between the light
ray and the normal is greater than the critical
angle.
- The critical angle of incidence occurs when the refracted light ray travels along the
boundary between two surfaces.
Optical Fibres
- Optical fibres use total internal reflation to
trap light within a thing, flexible strands.
- Optical fibres are used in endoscopes to
provide doctors with images of the stomach
and intestinal lining.
- Optical fibres are also used to transmit
computer, video, and audio data.
- Fibre optic networks now connect all of
Australia’s major cities.