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Science 10: 2nd Quarter

Force, Motion, and Energy (FME)
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Nature of Light
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Theories of Light

1. Wave Theory of Light

Christiaan Huygens
Light must travel through a
medium (optical ether)
Light has wavelike properties
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Theories of Light
2. Corpuscular Theory of Light
Isaac Newton
Light is made-up of tiny
particles (corpuscles) that
travel in a straight line
Light is emitted by
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luminous objects
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Theories of Light
3. Quantum Theory
Max Planck
Light is absorbed or released in
packets of energy called
quanta/photons
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 The term “photon” was coined by

Albert Einstein (Photoelectric Effect)
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Theories of Light
3. Quantum Theory
The energy of a quanta is equal
to Planck’s constant multiplied to
its frequency

E  hf
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h  6.63 10 J  s
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Theories of Light

4. Electromagnetic Theory
James Clerk Maxwell
Light is has both electric and
magnetic properties
Light is an EM wave
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Theories of Light

5. Wave-Particle Duality Theory

Louis de Broglie
Light behaves as both
particle and a wave
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What is Light?
 A form of EM radiation
 A straight path of light
is called light rays
 The only EM wave that
we can see
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 Color depends on the

wavelength
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Characteristics of Light
 1. Wavelength – meters
 2. Frequency – Hertz
 3. Speed – constant
speed (c)
c = 3.0 x 108 m/s
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c  f
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Characteristics of Light
 The speed of light changes when passing a solid
medium
1. Transparent – allows light to pass through
completely
2. Translucent – allows light to pass through partially
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3. Opaque – doesn’t allow light to pass through, rather

light is absorbed; forms shadows
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CDADeLeon_Sci10_Nature of Light

 Umbra – total shadow

 Penumbra – partial shadow