Light Basics
What is a light wave?
A light wave is a type of energy that travels in waves and can be seen by our eyes or detected by instruments.
What does it mean when light is absorbed?
Absorption happens when light energy is taken in by an object.
What is happening to light when we see something transparent?
Most light is transmitted through the object.
What is the visible light spectrum?
The range of light wavelengths that humans can see, from red to violet.
What is melanin?
A pigment in skin that helps protect against UV radiation.
What is the difference between light and a light source?
Light is the energy itself, while a light source is an object that produces light.
What is reflection?
Reflection is when light bounces off a surface.
Why do we see objects at all?
Because light reflects off objects and enters our eyes.
What is wavelength?
The distance between one wave peak and the next.
How does UV light interact with DNA?
UV light can damage DNA and cause mutations.
How does light carry energy?
Light carries energy by traveling as waves that can transfer energy to objects they hit.
What does it mean when light is transmitted?
Transmission happens when light passes through an object.
How does light help determine color?
The color we see depends on which wavelengths of light are reflected.
What is frequency?
How many waves pass a point in a certain amount of time.
How does UV light interact with melanin?
Melanin absorbs UV light to protect skin cells.
How does light change objects?
light can heat objects, cause chemical changes, or make them appear different colors.
What is happening to light when we see something white?
All colors of light are reflected.
What happens to light that is not reflected or transmitted?
It is absorbed.
What is amplitude?
The height of a wave, which relates to brightness.
Why does Australia have higher skin cancer rates?
Strong sunlight, high UV exposure, and many people with low melanin.
True or False: A material can absorb some types of light but not others.
true
What is happening to light when we see something black?
Most or all light is absorbed.
Why do darker objects get warmer in sunlight?
They absorb more light energy.
How are wavelength and frequency related?
When wavelength increases, frequency decreases, and vice versa.
Which light is more likely to dry out sunscreen: UV or X-ray? Why?
UV light, because it is reflected and absorbed by the sunscreen, transferring energy, while X-rays pass through.