A light source is an object that emits its own light. Hot objects such as flames and the Sun are light sources. Some light sources are not hot for example a computer screen.
12.1 HOW LIGHT TRAVELS
Light travels in a straight line
12.1 HOW LIGHT TRAVELS
Light travels Light sources in a straight line
12.1 HOW LIGHT TRAVELS
We see luminous objects because they
are light sources. We see non-luminous objects because they reflect light into our eyes.
12.1 HOW LIGHT TRAVELS
We see non-luminous objects because they reflect light into our eyes
12.2 HOW SHADOWS FORM
When light strikes an object, different
things can happen depending on the material of the object.
12.2 HOW SHADOWS FORM
Sometimes two of these things can
happen. For example, glass transmits light but it may also reflect some of it. A shadow forms when an opaque object blocks light. A ray is a straight line which shows the path of light.
12.2 HOW SHADOWS FORM
How a shadow is formed
12.2 HOW SHADOWS FORM
A shadow is formed where light rays are blocked by the
12.3 HOW LIGHT BENDS
Light is refracted (bent) when it enters or
leaves a transparent material. A light ray refracts towards the normal when it passes from air into a transparent material. A light ray refracts away from the normal when it passes from a transparent material into air.
12.3 HOW LIGHT BENDS
Light ray refracts towards
the normal when it passes from air into glass
Light ray refracts away from
the normal when it passes from glass into air
12.4 THE SPECTRUM OF WHITE LIGHT
White light is made up of all the colours
in the spectrum, from red to violet.
The colours of the spectrum
12.4 THE SPECTRUM OF WHITE LIGHT
White light can be split into the spectral
colours using a prism. This is called dispersion. Dispersion occurs because some colours of light are refracted more than others. Violet bends the most, red the least. Thus, different colours travel different directions and can be separated.
12.4 THE SPECTRUM OF WHITE LIGHT
Dispersion of white light
12.5 COLOURED LIGHT
A filter is a piece of coloured plastic or
glass that only allows some colours to pass through and absorbs others. For example, a red filter allows red light to pass through but absorbs the rest.
12.5 COLOURED LIGHT
How coloured filters make light of different colours
12.5 COLOURED LIGHT
The primary colours of light (red, blue and
green) add to make white light.
Coloured lights can add together to make other colours
12.5 COLOURED LIGHT
Objects look different colours because
they reflect some colours of light and absorb others. Grass is green because it reflects green light and absorbs the rest. A red rose reflects red light and absorbs the rest.