Visible Light

Visible light is a form of electromagnetic radiation that is visible to the human eye. It is a small part of the electromagnetic spectrum, which also includes radio waves, microwaves, infrared radiation, ultraviolet radiation, X-rays, and gamma rays.

Properties of Visible Light

Visible light has several key properties:

• Wavelength: Visible light has wavelengths ranging from approximately 400 to 700 nanometers. Different wavelengths correspond to different colors, with violet having the shortest wavelength and red having the longest.
• Speed: In a vacuum, visible light travels at a speed of approximately 299,792 kilometers per second.
• Interaction with Matter: Visible light can be reflected, refracted, absorbed, or transmitted by different materials.

Colors of Visible Light

Visible light can be separated into its component colors using a prism or diffraction grating. The colors of the visible spectrum, in order of increasing wavelength, are:

1. Violet
2. Indigo
3. Blue
4. Green
5. Yellow
6. Orange
7. Red

Applications of Visible Light

Visible light has numerous practical applications in everyday life and scientific research. Some of these applications include:

• Photography
• Optical communication (fiber optics)
• Colorimetry and spectroscopy
• Vision and sight in humans and animals

Study Guide

Here are some key points to remember about visible light:

1. What is the range of wavelengths for visible light?
2. How does the speed of light in a vacuum compare to the speed of other forms of electromagnetic radiation?
3. What are the colors of the visible spectrum, in order of increasing wavelength?
4. Provide examples of practical applications of visible light in everyday life and scientific research.

Understanding the properties and applications of visible light is important for various fields of science and technology.

[Visible Light] Related Worksheets and Study Guides:

• LightScience • Eighth Grade