#83
4.6.2.7 Visible Light
Paper 2 · Higher combined
Spec reference: 4.6.2 (subtopic).
What you need to know
- visible light Used for lighting, photography and fibre optics. Frequency range that is detectable by the human eye.
- ultraviolet Sterilising water and killing bacteria. Detecting
- forged bank notes.
- Causes skin tanning and can lead to burns or skin cancer.
- X-rays Medical imaging and airport security scanners. Very little energy is absorbed by body tissues. Instead, it is transmitted
- through the body.
- These waves can lead to gene mutation and cancer.
- gamma rays Sterilising medical equipment or food and
Self-assessment (checklist)
- I can explain which properties of each colour within
- I can explain what is meant by specular reflection.
- I can explain what is meant by diffuse reflection.
- I can explain how colour filters work.
- I can explain how the colour of an object is related to
- I can explain the effect of viewing objects through
- I can explain why an opaque object has a particular
- I can explain what is meant by the terms transparent
Key steps (method)
- Identify what the question is testing and use the correct equation/definition.
- Show substitutions and units clearly.
Common mistakes
- Unit conversions, rearranging errors, or quoting a law without applying it.