🌈 Rainbow Mind Map: Light and Shadows

Light and Shadows

Light

Light is a form of energy that enables us to see objects. It travels in straight lines and at an extremely fast speed (about 300,000 km/s in vacuum).

Light exhibits both wave-like and particle-like properties (wave-particle duality). The visible spectrum of light includes all the colors of the rainbow.

Light can be reflected, refracted, diffracted, and absorbed by different materials.

Shadows

A shadow is formed when an opaque object blocks light. The size and shape of shadows depend on the position of the light source and the object.

Shadows have two distinct parts: the umbra (complete shadow) and the penumbra (partial shadow). The length of shadows changes throughout the day due to the sun's position.

Luminous and Non-luminous Objects

Luminous objects emit their own light (sun, light bulbs), while non-luminous objects only reflect light (moon, books, most everyday objects).

Examples of luminous objects: Sun, stars, fireflies, light bulbs, flames. Examples of non-luminous objects: Moon, planets, trees, buildings.

Eclipse

An eclipse occurs when one celestial body moves into the shadow of another. There are two types: solar eclipse (moon blocks sun) and lunar eclipse (Earth blocks sunlight to moon).

During a total solar eclipse, the moon completely covers the sun, revealing the sun's corona. Never look directly at a solar eclipse without proper eye protection!

Material Types

Materials can be:

• Transparent (clear glass)
• Translucent (frosted glass)
• Opaque (wood, metal)

Transparent materials allow almost all light to pass through. Translucent materials allow some light but scatter it. Opaque materials block all light.

Rectilinear Propagation

Light travels in straight lines. This property explains shadows, eclipses, and how we see objects. Pinhole cameras work based on this principle.

The rectilinear propagation of light is why shadows maintain the shape of the object casting them (unless the light source is very large or very close).

Light and Shadows Quiz

1. What type of object is the Moon?

Luminous Non-luminous Transparent

2. During a solar eclipse, which celestial body casts a shadow on Earth?

Earth Sun Moon

3. Which material allows light to pass through but scatters it?

Transparent Translucent Opaque

Quick Poll: Light Phenomena

Which light phenomenon do you find most fascinating?

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Explore Light Interactions

Click on the colored dots to learn about different light phenomena:

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F

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Reflection

When light bounces off a surface. The angle of incidence equals the angle of reflection. Mirrors work by reflecting light.

Refraction

When light bends as it passes from one medium to another (like air to water). This causes objects to appear bent in water.

Absorption

When materials take in light energy. The absorbed light is usually converted to heat. Dark colors absorb more light.

Dispersion

The separation of white light into its component colors (like in a rainbow). This happens because different colors bend by different amounts.

Light Spectrum Explorer

Drag the slider to explore different wavelengths of light:

Visible Light (400-700nm)

Visible light is just a small part of the electromagnetic spectrum. Other types include radio waves, microwaves, infrared, ultraviolet, X-rays, and gamma rays.