Module 2.1 The Nature of Light - Portage Gen Chem 103

Objectives

  • Explain basic behavior of waves
  • Describe the wave nature of light
  • use appropriate equations to calculate related light wave properties such as period, frequency, wavelength, and energy
  • describe the particle nature of light

Waves

  • What is a wave?
    • oscillation or periodic movement that can transport energy from one point in space to another
  • How is energy transferred?
    • through matter
  • Consists of an electric field oscillating in step with a perpendicular magnetic field, both of which are perpendicular to direction of travel
    • electronic waves
  • What are waves characterized by?
    - wavelength (ƛ)
  • What is characterized by 𝑣
    • frequency, and an amplitude
  • Electronic magnetic waves have wavelenghts that fall within an
    • enormous range
  • Define frequency
    • the number of wavelengths