We see things when light travels
from a source and is reflected by
an object into out eyes.
The light transfers energy
from the source to our eyes
Our eyes can detect
certain frequiencies of
light
We refer to these
frequencies as visible light
Light is a type of electromagnetic wave
Different frequencies cause us to
see different colours
Lower frequencies of visible light appear more
red and higher frequencies appear more blue
All electromagnetic waves
are transverse waves
Because electromagnetic waves are
transverse this means the vibrations
are at right angles to the direction in
which the wave is travelling
All electromagnetic waves travel at the same speed:
(3 x 10 to the power of 8 m/s)
Like all waves, electromagnetic waves transfer
energy from a source to an observer
Electromagnetic waves with frequencies slightly
lower than visible light are called infrared
All objects emit energy by
infrared radiation
We can feel the effects of infrared radiation when energy is
transferred from the Sun to our skin
Electromagnetic waves move at different speeds in
different materials
Waves that pass at an interface (boundary) between two
materials get faster or slower
If waves meet an interface (boundary) at
an angle the change of speed also makes
them change direction
The change of direction is called refraction
If they meet the interface (boundary) at right angles they
do not change direction
The first person to discover infrared
was William Herschel
He put dark coloured filters on his telescope to
help him observe the sun safely and noticed
that different coloured filters heated the
telescope to different extents
CP5b
Our eyes can detect different colours in
visible light and scientists describe the
seven colurs in the visible light
spectrum in this order:
Red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet
(ROY G BIV)
If the frequency of a wave is lower than that of
red light, human eyes cannot see it
Infrared, microwaves and radio
waves have lower frequencies than
red light
Ultraviolet light has a higher
frequency than visible light
Even higher frequencies and shorter wavelengths are
present in x-rays and gamma rays
The full range of
electromagnetic waves is called
the electromagnetic spectrum
The spectrum is continuous so all values
of frequency are possible
Higher frequency waves have shorter
wavelengths and lower frequency waves
have longer wavelengths
Stars and other space objects can
emit energy at all wavelengths.
Scientists study this radiation but have to use
special telescopes because different materials
affect electromagnetic waves depending on the
wavelength
CP5c
Visible light is the part of the
electromagnetic spectrum that our eyes
detect
Light bulbs are designed to emit visible light, while
cameras detect it and record images
Infrared radiation can be used for
communication at short ranges
Infrared can be used between computers in the
same room or from a TV to its remote control
unit
Information sent along optical fibres is also
sent using infrared radiation
A grill or toaster transfers energy
to food by infrared radiation
The food absorbs the
radiation and heats up
Thermal images show the amount
of infrared radiation given off by
different objects
Security systems often have sensors that can
detect infrared radiation emitted by intruders
Some buildings are fitted with systems of infrared beams
and detectors and when someone walks through one of
the beams will break it and set off an alarm
Microwaves are used for communications and satellite
transmissions, including mobile phone signals
In a microwave oven,
microwaves transfer energy
to the food, heating it up from
the inside
Radio waves are used for transmitting radio broadcasts and
TV programs as well as other communications
Some radio waves are sent via satellites so
controllers on the ground communicate with
spacecraft suing radio waves
Radio waves are produced by
oscillations (variations in a current
and voltage) in electrical circuits
A metal rod can be
used as an aerial to
receive radio waves
Waves travel in straight lines unless they
are reflected or refracted
CP5d
Ultraviolet radiation transfers
more energy than visible light
It is absorbed by most of the same materials that
absorb visible light, including our skin
The energy transferred can be used to
disinfect water by killing microorganisms
in it
Some materials absorb ultraviolet light and
re-emit it as visible light, this is called florescence
Fluorescent materials are often only used in security markings
- they are only visible when ultraviolet light shines on them