34 Lecture

PHY101

Midterm & Final Term Short Notes

Physics of Light

Light is one of the most fascinating natural phenomena in the universe. It has been studied by physicists for centuries, and the more we learn about it, the more complex and intriguing it becomes.


Important Mcq's
Midterm & Finalterm Prepration
Past papers included

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What is the speed of light in a vacuum?

a. 3 x 10^5 m/s

b. 3 x 10^7 m/s

c. 3 x 10^8 m/s

d. 3 x 10^10 m/s

Answer: c. 3 x 10^8 m/s


Which of the following is NOT part of the visible spectrum?

a. Infrared

b. Ultraviolet

c. Red

d. Blue

Answer: a. Infrared


Which phenomenon of light explains the double-slit experiment?

a. Reflection

b. Refraction

c. Interference

d. Diffraction

Answer: c. Interference


What is the wave-particle duality of light?

a. Light behaves only as a wave.

b. Light behaves only as a particle.

c. Light behaves as both a wave and a particle.

d. Light does not have a wave-particle duality.

Answer: c. Light behaves as both a wave and a particle.


What is the angle of incidence?

a. The angle between the normal and the reflected ray.

b. The angle between the normal and the incident ray.

c. The angle between the normal and the refracted ray.

d. The angle between the reflected and refracted rays.

Answer: b. The angle between the normal and the incident ray.


Which of the following is NOT an application of light in medicine?

a. X-ray imaging

b. Fluorescence microscopy

c. Laser surgery

d. GPS technology

Answer: d. GPS technology


What is fluorescence?

a. The emission of light by a material that has absorbed light of a different wavelength.

b. The bending of light as it passes through a material with a different refractive index.

c. The transfer of the energy of light to atoms or molecules within a material.

d. The reflection of light by a smooth surface.

Answer: a. The emission of light by a material that has absorbed light of a different wavelength.


How does light behave when it is absorbed by a material?

a. It is reflected back.

b. It is transmitted through the material.

c. Its energy is transferred to the atoms or molecules within the material.

d. It passes through the material without any interaction.

Answer: c. Its energy is transferred to the atoms or molecules within the material.


Which of the following is an example of an LED?

a. A laser pointer

b. A light bulb

c. A computer screen

d. A traffic light

Answer: d. A traffic light


What is an X-ray?

a. A type of high-energy electromagnetic radiation used in medical imaging.

b. A type of visible light.

c. A type of infrared radiation.

d. A type of ultraviolet radiation.

Answer: a. A type of high-energy electromagnetic radiation used in medical imaging.





Subjective Short Notes
Midterm & Finalterm Prepration
Past papers included

Download PDF

What is the visible spectrum?

Answer: The visible spectrum is the range of wavelengths of light that can be seen by the human eye, ranging from approximately 400 nanometers (nm) to 700 nm.


What is the speed of light?

Answer: The speed of light is approximately 299,792,458 meters per second in a vacuum.


What is the wave-particle duality of light?

Answer: The wave-particle duality of light means that light behaves like both a wave and a particle, depending on the situation.


What is refraction of light?

Answer: Refraction of light is the bending of light as it passes through a material with a different refractive index, such as from air to glass or water.


What is absorption of light?

Answer: Absorption of light is the transfer of the energy of light to atoms or molecules within a material, which can cause them to become excited and emit light of their own.


What is fluorescence?

Answer: Fluorescence is the emission of light by a material that has absorbed light of a different wavelength, such as when a fluorescent dye is excited by a light source.


How is light used in fiber optic cables?

Answer: Light is used to transmit information through fiber optic cables by sending pulses of light down the cable, which can carry a large amount of information over long distances.


What is an X-ray?

Answer: An X-ray is a type of high-energy electromagnetic radiation that is used in medical imaging to produce images of the inside of the body.


What is an LED?

Answer: An LED, or light-emitting diode, is a type of semiconductor device that emits light when an electric current is passed through it.


How is light used in astronomy?

Answer: Light is used in astronomy to study the properties of stars and galaxies, and to detect objects such as planets and black holes, by analyzing the light that they emit or reflect.


Physics of Light

Light is one of the most fascinating natural phenomena in the universe. It has been studied by physicists for centuries, and the more we learn about it, the more complex and intriguing it becomes. In this article, we will explore the physics of light, including its properties, behaviors, and applications. At its most basic level, light is a type of electromagnetic radiation. This means that it is a wave of energy that travels through space, just like radio waves, microwaves, and X-rays. However, light is unique in that it is the only form of electromagnetic radiation that we can see. This is because it falls within a specific range of wavelengths, known as the visible spectrum, which our eyes are able to detect. The visible spectrum ranges from approximately 400 nanometers (nm) to 700 nm. The different colors that we see in the world around us are simply different wavelengths of light within this range. For example, red light has a wavelength of around 700 nm, while blue light has a wavelength of around 400 nm. One of the most important properties of light is its speed. In a vacuum, light travels at a constant speed of approximately 299,792,458 meters per second. This speed is known as the speed of light, and it is one of the fundamental constants of the universe. It is so important that it forms the basis of the theory of relativity, which describes how time and space are related to each other. Another important property of light is its wave-particle duality. This means that although light behaves like a wave in some situations, it also behaves like a particle in others. This dual nature of light can be seen in experiments such as the double-slit experiment, where light is passed through two narrow slits and produces an interference pattern on a screen behind it. This pattern can only be explained if we assume that light behaves like a wave. However, when we measure the light at the slits, we find that it also behaves like a particle, as it can only pass through one slit at a time. Light also exhibits a number of interesting behaviors when it interacts with matter. For example, when light passes through a material such as glass or water, it can be refracted, or bent. This is because the speed of light is different in different materials, and this causes the light to change direction as it passes from one material to another. Another important behavior of light is absorption. When light is absorbed by a material, its energy is transferred to the atoms or molecules within that material. This can cause the atoms or molecules to become excited, and they may emit light of their own as they return to their original state. This is the basis of many important technologies, such as fluorescence microscopy and LED lighting. The study of light has led to many important applications in a wide range of fields. For example, in medicine, light is used in imaging techniques such as X-rays, MRI, and PET scans. In telecommunications, light is used to transmit information through fiber optic cables. In astronomy, light is used to study the properties of stars and galaxies, and to detect objects such as planets and black holes. In conclusion, the physics of light is a fascinating and complex subject that has been studied by physicists for centuries. From its wave-particle duality to its behavior when interacting with matter, light exhibits a wide range of interesting properties and behaviors. As we continue to study and understand the nature of light, we will undoubtedly find new and exciting applications for this amazing natural phenomenon.