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Michael K. Rulison
(http://sites.oglethorpe.
edu/mrulison/)
Professor of Physics

Chapter 3: Light Part 1

Light & Matter 1 (http://sites.oglethorpe.edu/mrulison/astronomy-
web-lecture-notes/light-matter/light-and-matter-1/)
Wave Motion
Given the distance to the majority of astronomical objects of interest, the only practical way of
obtaining information about these objects is by an analysis of radiation. In this context radiation may
refer to electromagnetic waves, gravitational waves, or so-called cosmic rays, which are actually high
energy particles. Gravitational radiation and cosmic rays will be considered later.

There are two mechanisms by which energy is transferred from one point to another. One is an energy
transfer due to the net motion of matter between the two points, as for example when a ball is thrown
from one person to another. The other mechanism is that of wave motion, which does not involve any
net motion of matter, but rather the propagation of a disturbance of some sort.

Wave Types and Wave Properties

A wave consists of a disturbance of some sort which travels in a material medium (or through space in
the case of electromagnetic waves). While many sorts of wave are possible, the most common situation
involves a periodic wave in which the waveform is repeated indefinitely. Waves are further classified
as longitudinal or transverse, with longitudinal waves having a disturbance which is parallel to the
direction of wave motion, and transverse waves having a disturbance which is perpendicular to the
direction of wave motion.

(http://sites.oglethorpe.edu/mrulison/files/2016/07/waves1-

2geh8lo.jpg)

(http://sites.oglethorpe.edu/mrulison/files/2016/07/waves2-

1wvica4.jpg)

A periodic wave is characterized by its amplitude, and wavelength. In addition, a wave of a given type
travels through a given medium with a characteristic wave speed. The wave speed and wavelength are
related to each other by the wave equation.

(http://sites.oglethorpe.edu/mrulison/files/2016/07/sinewave-

25m44zz.gif)

velocity = (frequency) X (wavelength)

Wave Behavior
When two or more waves are present simultaneously in the same medium interference occurs. At the
two extremes, the interference may be constructive or destructive. More generally, the interference of
waves is intermediate neither completely constructive or destructive.
 (http://sites.oglethorpe.edu/mrulison/files/2016/07/int1-1f1skcj.gif)

Waves may be caused to interfere for any number of reasons.

The waves passing through different parts of an opening are found to interfere with each other in a
way that produces a phenomenon known as diffraction. The degree of diffraction depends on the
relative sizes of the wavelength of the wave and the size of the opening through which the waves move.

(http://sites.oglethorpe.edu/mrulison/files/2016/07/diff1-

1wh32k3.gif)

Refraction and Reection

When a wave encounters a boundary between two different media two things (in general) happen.
Part of the incident wave will be reflected back into the incident medium and part will be refracted
into the medium being encountered. Note that both of these phenomena occur due to a difference in
the wave speed in the two media. The law of reflection states that the reflected wave will leave the
boundary at the same angle as the angle of incidence. The law of refraction (or Snells law) states that
the angle of refraction and the angle of incidence are related by the indices of refraction of the two
media (or equivalently the wave speeds in the two media).
 (http://sites.oglethorpe.edu/mrulison/files/2016/07/reflec-

229t2kx.jpg) (http://sites.oglethorpe.edu/mrulison/files/2016/07/Reflrefr-

1nqn3ad.jpg)

Electromagnetic Waves
Electromagnetic waves exhibit all of the behaviors described above (under proper circumstances), but
differ in one fundamental way EM waves require no material medium for their propagation. This is
possible because an EM wave is not a disturbance of a material from its equilibrium position, but
rather a disturbance in the values of the electric and magnetic fields in some region of space (whether
or not a material is present).

Electric and Magnetic Fields

Modern physical theory postulates four fundamental forces which are responsible for the various
interactions between fundamental particles. These four forces are the gravitational, electromagnetic,
strong nuclear, and weak nuclear. The electromagnetic force, in turn, is often further separated into
electric and magnetic forces, although they are actually two facets of the single electromagnetic force.
These four forces are pictured as being mediated by various fields.

Many of the fundamental particles such as the electron and proton possess an electrical charge, while
others such as the neutron are uncharged. Under most circumstances macroscopic objects are
uncharged, or nearly so, due to the fact that they are composed of very nearly equal numbers of
positively charged and negatively charged particles. When a particle (or a larger object) does possess a
net charge it produces an electric field in the surrounding space.
(http://sites.oglethorpe.edu/mrulis (http://sites.oglethorpe.edu/mrulis (http://sites.oglethorpe.edu/mrulis
on/astronomy-web-lecture- on/astronomy-web-lecture-
on/astronomy-web-lecture-
notes/light-matter/efield/) notes/light-matter/likefi/)
notes/light-matter/oppfield/)

Fields of this sort are produced by electric charges at rest. If the charges are in motion, in addition to
the electric field there exists a magnetic field. Thus, electric currents are the sources of magnetic field.
As the net charge of most macroscopic objects is zero or nearly zero, so also the electric currents (in the
form of electrons orbiting nuclei in atoms) in most macroscopic objects cancel in such a way that the
magnetic fields of most materials are often zero or small.

(http://sites.oglethorpe.edu/mrulison/files/2016/07/Mag1-1qqxmbn.jpg)

Electromagnetism
Another result of elecromagnetic theory is that when a magnetic field in some region of space changes
there is an electric field produced (Faradays law). Conversely, a changing electric field in some region
of space produces a magnetic field (Amperes law).

Electromagnetic Waves
As a result of the interlinking of electric and magnetic fields which vary with time, accelerated electric
charges are found to produce electric and magnetic fields which propagate through space. As with any
wave there is a very specific propagation speed in this case the speed of light which is c = 2.99 X 108
m/s.

One familiar example in which accelerating charges produce EM waves is the antenna.
 (http://sites.oglethorpe.edu/mrulison/files/2016/07/Ant1-

20ml2pe.jpg) (http://sites.oglethorpe.edu/mrulison/files/2016/07/Ant2-2h3ngys.jpg)

(http://sites.oglethorpe.edu/mrulison/files/2016/07/Ant3-2bdn28m.jpg)

Electromagnetic Spectrum
Regions of the Spectrum

(http://sites.oglethorpe.edu/mrulison/files/2016/07/spec0-

1h73h5e.gif)

Sources and Detectors for Various Spectral Ranges

(http://sites.oglethorpe.edu/mrulison/files/2016/07/spec1-

21kzzd0.jpg)
Absorption of Radiation
Absorption of Radiation

(http://sites.oglethorpe.edu/mrulison/files/2016/07/absorp1-

2lxtadx.jpg)

Information from Radiation

Blackbody Radiation

(http://sites.oglethorpe.edu/mrulison/files/2016/07/planck1-

1qi728e.gif)

Radiation Laws
Wiens Law

max = 0.29/T
Stefans Law

P=e A T4
Doppler Shifting of Radiation
 (http://sites.oglethorpe.edu/mrulison/files/2016/07/doppler1-

ru4gpx.gif)

(http://sites.oglethorpe.edu/mrulison/files/2016/07/doppler-1n1go3m.gif)

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