KIINE COMMUNITY SCHOOL
GRADE 11 PHYSICS NOTES
LIGHT
Rectilinear propagation of light
Light is a type of electromagnetic radiation that allows the human eye to see or make objects
visible. Light can also be defined as visible radiation to the human eye.
Rectilinear propagation of light means that light travels in a straight line. Light only changes its
direction when it encounters a different medium while travelling.
Light rays travel in straight lines and in all directions from the source. Light cannot bend around
a corner. This is why we are able to see an object from any direction, as long as nothing stands
in the way. It is also important to note that the speed of light is so fast that it can travel around
the circumference of the earth seven times in one second.
The diagram below shows that light travels in a straight line.
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When the cards were lined up so that you could see the light, the holes were in a straight line.
When you try to move the middle card lightly to one side so that the holes do not line up, the
light could not be seen when the holes were not lined up. This proves that light travels in
straight lines.
The formation of shadows and eclipses
Shadows
A shadow is a spot where the amount of light is reduced compared to the surrounding area.
Shadows are formed when light cannot penetrate an object. Not all shadows are dark, some
shadows can be coloured depending on the source of light. Some terms used to describe parts
of the dark or luminosity areas are: opaque, transparent, translucent, umbra and penumbra.
Opaque is the quality of a material that does not allow it to let light pass through it.
Transparent is the quality of a material that allows it to let light pass through completely.
Translucent is the quality a material that allows it to let some light pass through it. Umbra is the
dark, fully shaded part of a shadow that is cast by an opaque. Penumbra is the partially shaded
outer part of a shadow that is cast by an opaque.
A, a dark shadow, called an umbra, forms and in B, a lighter shadow, called penumbra form
above and below the dark shadow.
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Solar eclipses
There are two types of eclipses: the solar and lunar eclipse. Eclipses occur when the Sun, Earth
and Moon are aligned in the straight line. When the Moon is between the Sun and Earth, it
throws its shadow on the Earth. This is called a solar eclipse. When the Earth comes between
the Sun and the Moon, it throws its shadow on the Moon. This is called a lunar eclipse. Total
solar eclipses are rarely seen, because they only exist along a narrow path on the earth’s
surface when the observer stands in the moon’s umbra.
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