Chapter U5.114, Problem 1TAI

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The light needs to be described using the wave model.

Concept introduction:

Light can be explained as an electromagnetic wave using the wave model. Here, a change in electric field creates a change in magnetic field. The change in magnetic field again results in the change in electric field and light is obtained.

Explanation of Solution

The wave model of a light can be visualized as follows:

Here, light travels in the form of a wave. The maximum upward displacement is represented by crest and maximum downward displacement is represented by trough. The distance between two consecutive crest and trough is wavelength. Amplitude is defined as maximum displacement of a particle from the position of rest.

The frequency of wave is number waves passing through a point in given time. The unit is per second or Hz. Here, 1 Hz means 1 wave is passed through a fixed point in 1 second.

If two waves have same amplitude, the wave with higher frequency will have more energy as compared to the lower frequency wave.

Light travels as a wave which is explained by the wave model of the light. It explains the spreading of light when it is passed through a small opening. If the wavelength of light is short, it spreads out little but if the light has longer wavelength, it spreads out more.