The Nature of Light

We have examined the basic structure of the atom; its components (subatomic
particles) and the experiments and scientists that contributed to our understanding of the
atoms structure and properties.
Chemical reactions involve movement of electrons; our understanding of the
structure and behavior of electrons in atoms will be essential to our ability to predict and
describe reactions of compounds.
Any consideration of electrons-in-atoms must begin with the study of light-aka
electromagnetic radiation.

The websites referenced below will guide you in your assignment to examine the nature
of light. As you step through the website links, study the data, images, and animations and
answer the questions following.

A. http://blair.pha.jhu.edu/spectroscopy/basics.html

1. What is light?

2. At what speed does light travel (metric units)?

3. How long does it take light to reach the earth from the sun (in sec)?

4. Using the time determined in #3, calculate the distance from the sun to the earth (in meters).

5. What is a light year (include units)?

B. http://theory.uwinnipeg.ca/mod_tech/node120.html

1. Light has wave behavior.

Define the following properties of waves (provide symbols and metric units for each):

a. wavelength

b. frequency

c. amplitude

d. period

e. speed

f. intensity
Illustrate a simple type of wave below using both X and Y axes.

Label a wavelength, crest, trough, and amplitude on your sketch.

How are the following pairs of wave properties related (directly or inversely)?

a. period and frequency

b. wavelength and speed

c. wavelength and frequency

C. https://unctv.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/phy03.sci.phys.energy.nasaspectrum/the-
electromagnetic-spectrum-nasa/#.WcgQ3OnD8wl (google electromagnetic radiation pbs learning
media 1st hit)

https://science.hq.nasa.gov/kids/imagers//ems/index.html

1. What is electromagnetic radiation?

2. On the image below, label the 7 types of electromagnetic radiation.

a. UV d. visible g. X-ray

b. radio e. microwave

c. gamma f. infra-red

3. Electromagnetic radiation is a spectrum. What does this indicate about the ranges for each of the
radiation types?
4. Study the electromagnetic spectrum image, (website link above), tour the electromagnetic spectrum
links and answer the following:

a. Which type of emr could be used to visualize molecules?

b. Why cant we use visible light to see molecules?

c. Why dont microwaves escape through the holes in the oven door?

d. Bees are able to see wavelengths of light invisible to the human eye. What type of
electromagnetic radiation do you think bees use in their super-human sight?

e. What would it be like to see X-rays? What would we be able to see?

f. Which type of radiation is perceived in night-vision devices? What do they detect?

D. https://science.hq.nasa.gov/kids/imagers//ems/waves3.html

Electromagnetic radiation can be described not only by wavelength and frequency, but also by energy

1. How are the wavelength and energy of radiation related?

2. How are the frequency and energy of radiation related?

3. Write an equation to describe the relationship among the speed, wavelength, and frequency of
radiation (hint: track the units of each quantity).

Light intensity, or brightness, is related to the quantity of energy emitted by a radiation source.

4. In this image, which wave(s) represent greater energy? Which represent greater intensity?
E. https://unctv.pbslearningmedia.org/asset/npe11_int_spectrometry/

https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/deepimpact/science/spectroscopy.cfm

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1uPyq63aRvg

Excited atoms emit light. This light can be separated (diffracted) into its component wavelengths to give
the emission spectrum of the element. If the wavelengths emitted are in the visible spectrum, we are
able to see them (colors!).

1. Draw the emission spectrum (visible light, only!) for hydrogen and oxygen. Include a wavelength
scale. Color the lines!

Hydrogen Oxygen

Hydrogen Oxygen

Underneath each emission spectrum, draw the elements absorption spectrum.