Introduction to

Light
as a wave

Dr Lisa Jardine-Wright
Cavendish Laboratory
 What is a Wave?

‹ A wave is a disturbance which travels

through a medium from one place to
another.

‹ As it travels, the wave transfers energy

from one place to another but NOT material.
 Types of Wave

‹ Transverse

Direction of the wave

‹ Longitudinal

Direction of the wave

Types of Wave?
 Examples of Waves

‹ Sound
• Longitudinal
• Mechanical
Examples of Waves

‹ Ripples on a pond
• Transverse
• Mechanical
 Examples of Waves

‹ Light
• Transverse
• Electromagnetic

‹ Electromagnetic waves can travel through a

vacuum
• Mechanical waves need a medium to travel through.
• E.g. Light waves from distant astronomical objects!
 Describing Waves

‹ Wavelength, λ
• Distance before the wave repeats.
• Units are metres, m.

• E.g distance between two peaks or troughs of the

wave.
λ
λ
 Describing Waves

‹ Frequency, f
• The number of whole waves that pass a fixed point
each second.
• Units are Hertz, Hz.

0.5 Hz
 Describing Waves

‹ Amplitude, a
• Maximum displacement of the wave.
 Describing Waves

‹ Speed of the wave, v

• Speed = frequency x wavelength

v=fxλ
‹ The speed of a wave is only altered by
changing the medium through which it
travels.
• Speed of sound in air = 340 m/s
• Speed of sound in water ≈ 1500 m/s
 Reflection & Refraction

‹ Reflection
• angle of incidence = angle of reflection

θi θr
Reflection & Refraction
 Reflection & Refraction

‹ Refraction

Air Glass

Air
θt
θi
 Interference & Diffraction

‹ Interference
• Wave interference is what happens when two waves
meet while travelling along in the same medium.
Interference & Diffraction
Interference & Diffraction
 Interference & Diffraction

‹ Diffraction
• Is the spreading out of waves beyond openings and…
 Interference & Diffraction

‹ Diffraction
• and the bending of waves around obstacles
 Interference & Diffraction

‹ Interference & Diffraction Screen

Light waves