Light Energy

Light Energy
• Light energy is electromagnetic radiation. This
means it is a combination of electrical energy
and magnetic energy.
• Light moves in waves.
• The light we see is only a tiny part of that
spectrum.
• We see things because they reflect
light into our eyes! This is literally
the only way we get to see things!
ALL objects we see either create
light or reflect light!!

Homework
• Light travels much faster than sound. For example:

1) Thunder and lightning

start at the same time,
but we will see the
lightning first.

2) When a starting pistol

is fired we see the
smoke first and then
hear the bang.
 • Light travels VERY FAST – about 186,000 miles per second.

At this speed light

could travel the
equivalent of 8 times
around the world in
one second!
 • Light can create shadows

Shadows are places where light is “blocked”:

Rays of light
Properties of Light
• Light travels in straight lines:

Laser
 Absorption
• Absorption of light occurs when an object
does not reflect or transmit the light.
• Black objects absorb all light and white
objects absorb no light.
• Whatever color or wavelength of light is
absorbed, the opposite color is relfected.
– Ex: An object that appears red is absorbing
blue and green wavelengths.
 Reflection
• Reflection is when light bounces off an object.
• Mirrors show reflection very well.
• Again, an object that appears red is absorbing
the blue and green wave lengths but is
reflecting the red.
 Transmission
• The process in which light travels through a
medium without being absorbed or scattered.
• Light goes straight through the material.
 Refraction
• Refraction is the bending of light waves as
they pass from one substance to another.
• Light rays may bend as they move from one
substance to another.
• An illusion is created when light rays go from
air into water and “bends” the pencil.
• If light is transmitted “head-on” the direction
does not change (no refraction).
• If the light strikes at an angle it is refracted.
 Scattering
• Scattering of light is caused by light bouncing
off an object in a bunch of different directions.
• Scattering is caused by differences present in
materials, which the light is striking.
• This includes bubbles, droplets, surface
roughness, and textile fibers in clothing.
• This is what causes the sky to be blue.
 The halo is
The sun is from light
in the scattering
middle of in the ice
the halo. crystals
that make
the cloud.
 Transparent
• Sometimes when light strikes matter, almost
all the light gets through.
– Transparent materials allow light to pass
through with almost no disturbance.
– It may or may not color the light but you
can clearly see objects through them.
– Ex: glass
You can see straight through the glass
window.
 Translucent
• Sometimes only some light gets through
– Translucent materials allow only part of the
light to pass through, while also bouncing it
in many new directions.
– It gives you a blurry view but lets in light.
– Example: a frosted glass door (like a shower
door)
You can see through the frosted glass
but the image is blurry.
 Opaque
• Sometimes no light gets through.
– Opaque materials completely block light
from passing.
– Example: dark colored cardstock paper
You cannot see through the glass
plates and bowl.