Light and Optics

As mentioned in the previous grade levels, light

is believed to have a dual nature-a particle and a
wave. As a particle, light carries with it bundles
of energy called photons. As these photons
travel and interact with electric fields,
electromagnetic radiation is produced. Light
begins to exhibit its wavelike nature when it
shows properties such as reflection, refraction,
interference, diffraction, and polarization.
However, to understand the wave nature
of light, we must explore the
electromagnetic waves further. In this
lesson, you will learn more about the
different types of electromagnetic waves
(including visible light), their properties,
and their applications.
Electromagnetic (EM) Waves

EM waves are transverse oscillating waves

composed of electric and magnetic fields. EM
waves travel in a vacuum at the speed of 3.0 x 10
m/s. EM waves can travel even without a
medium (ie., a vacuum). In an EM wave, the
electric field is perpendicular to the magnetic
field.
EM Spectrum and Its Applications
EM waves are classified according to their
frequencies, They are also described
according to their wavelengths and energies.
Figure 3.2 shows the EM spectrum, which
shows the different types of EM waves,
The frequency of the entire EM spectrum ranges from 10²
Hz to 10²² Hz, with wavelengths extending from 10³ to 10¹²
m. Looking at the EM spectrum from left to right, the
frequencies increase as the wavelengths decrease. Each
wave in the EM spectrum carries different amounts of
photons, which are measured in electron volts. The
difference in the frequencies and energies give each wave
distinct features. These features form the types of EM
waves. Let's study the different types of EM waves.
Radio Waves

Radio waves are the region in the EM spectrum with the

longest wavelength and the lowest frequencies in the EM
spectrum. Radio waves have wavelengths ranging from 1
cm to 1 km, with frequencies ranging from 30 gigahertz
(GHz) to 300 kilohertz (kHz). Within this frequency range
are different bands of waves.
 Extremely low frequency (ELF) waves

Extremely low frequency (ELF)

waves are radio waves with
frequencies of less than 3 kHz and
wavelengths that are greater than 100
km. They are naturally generated in
the atmosphere.
Very low frequency (VLF) waves
Very low frequency (VLF) waves are
radio waves with frequencies ranging
from 3 to 30 kHz and wavelengths
ranging from 10 to 100 km. This band is
also called as the myriameter band. These
waves are used for military
communications with submarines because
of theirability to penetrate saltwater up to
Low-frequency (LF) waves are
radio waves with frequencies
ranging from 30 to 300 kHz and
wavelengths ranging from 1 m to 10
km. These are used for long-
distance communications.
Medium-frequency (MF) waves have
frequencies that range from 300 kHz to 3 MHz
and wavelengths ranging from 100 m to 1 km.
They are commonly used for amplitude
modulation (AM) broadcasting and air traffic
control
High-frequency (HF) waves
have frequencies ranging
from 3 to 30 MHz and
wavelengths ranging from
10 to 100 m. These are used
in international
broadcasting stations.
Very high frequency (VHF) waves
have frequencies ranging from 30 to
300 MHz and wavelengths ranging
from 1 to 10 m. These are used in
digital audio broadcasting and
mobile radio systems.
Ultra-high frequency (UHF) waves have
a frequency ranging from 300 MHz to 3
GHz and wavelengths ranging from 10
cm to 1 m. This frequency is commonly
used in TV broadcasting, global
positioning systems (GPS), wireless
fidelity (Wi-Fi), and Bluetooth
technologies.
 Microwaves
Microwaves have frequencies higher than those of radio
waves. Their frequencies range from 300 MHz to 300
GHz. Microwaves also have sub-bands with different
wavelengths and uses, such as L, S. C, X, and K. The L-
bands are used in our GPS. Other bands are used for
active remote sensing and also for radio detection and
ranging (RADAR) systems. Many Bluetooth and Wi-Fi
connections also operate using microwaves.
Infrared (IR) waves are found
between microwaves and visible light.
IR waves have frequencies ranging
from 3 x 10" to 4 x 10 Hz. They are
grouped into near, mid-, and far
infrared regions. They are invisible to
the unaided eye but can be detected in
the form of heat.
Infrared (IR) waves are found
between microwaves and visible light.
IR waves have frequencies ranging
from 3 x 10" to 4 x 10 Hz. They are
grouped into near, mid-, and far
infrared regions. They are invisible to
the unaided eye but can be detected in
the form of heat.
IR Scanner
In 1800, William Herschel first
recorded the thermal measurement
at the far end of the red spectrum,
hence the name infrared (from the
prefix infra-, meaning "below").
Visible Light thermal energy. The only part of the
EM spectrum that can be seen by the unaided eye
is the visible light. Visible light has frequencies
ranging from 400 to 700 nm. The different colors
of light are caused by differences in their
subwavelengths. Colors appear exactly as those
seen in the rainbow: red, orange, yellow, green,
blue, indigo, and violet.
Visible light allows us to see different objects.
The visible light spectrum, has various
applications such as spectral imaging. When
visible light is emitted, certain patterns of dark
lines and colors appear. This is what you call
spectral signatures, which help in identifying
the structure and composition of substances
and widely used in scientific research.
Spectral imaging
Ultraviolet (UV) Waves
In 1801, John Ritter successfully
proved the existence of energy
beyond the violet spectra of the
visible light, naming it ultraviolet
(UV). UV radiation extends from the
violet spectra of the visible light
through X-rays. It has a wavelength
ranging from 10 to 400 nm.
Most of the UV radiation that we receive
comes from the sun. The sun's UV is
classified as UVA, UVB, and UVC
radiation. UVA is the least harmful of the
three forms of UV radiation, whereas UVC
is the most harmful. UVC, however, is
absorbed by the ozone layer. UVB
radiation can cause sunburn because,
UVB radiation can cause sunburn
because, unlike IR, it causes a
chemical reaction on the human skin.
This eventually causes the skin to burn
or change its color. However,
prolonged or too much exposure to
UVB radiation can cause cellular
damage in an organism. It may cause
the production of free radicals in the
body or even DNA damage.
X-rays
X-rays were first observed and
documented by Wilhelm Conrad
Roentgen in 1895. The X-ray region is
between the UV and the gamma
regions. Their wavelengths are so
small, which is why the energies
carried in the X-ray and the gamma-
ray regions are described in electron
volts (eV).
The EM spectrum is arranged in
increasing frequencies and energies.
The higher the frequency, the higher the
energy carried by the wave. X-rays
carry 100 eV to 200 keV of energy. X-
rays can be classified as soft X-rays and
hard X-rays.
Soft X-rays carry smaller amounts
of energy compared to hard X-
rays. This energy allows them to
penetrate through matter.
(a) Some objects fluoresce when exposed to UV
radiation. This is because they emit visible light
waves. This process can be seen in UV scanners,
which are used in commercial establishments and
banks. (b) Soft X-rays are used in medical imaging
and diagnosis. X-rays penetrate the human skin and
some tissues but are absorbed by the denser bones in
the body.
Gamma Rays
Gamma rays are found at the end of the EM spectrum.
Gamma rays contain the highest energy of all, possessing
a range from 200 keV to about 200 MeV. Gamma rays are
produced by objects with very high energy. Naturally, it
can be produced by pulsars, supernova explosions,
neutron stars, and also by the decay of some radioactive
elements.