Incandescent light bulbs produce visible light of all wavelengths. The mix of red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet (ROYGBIV) give the light its characteristic white appearance. For the MCAT, it is important to know the relative wavelengths of light for the visible spectrum (390 – 700nm) and where visiable wavelengths fit into the overall spectrum of electromagnetic radiation. From longest wavelength to shortest, the sequence of wavelengths is listed below.

Radio > Microwaves > Infrared > Visible > Ultraviolet > X-Rays > Gamma Rays

Going through the first filter, the intensity of initially unpolarized light decreases by 1/2, so . For each filter after the first, the intensity decreases by an additional factor of , where is the angle between adjacent polarizers. So, after the second filter, we have can see that . Similarly, after the third filter, we have .

Going through the first filter, the intensity of initially unpolarized light decreases by 1/2, so . For each filter after the first, the intensity decreases by an additional factor of , where is the angle between adjacent polarizers. So, after the second filter, we have can see that . Similarly, after the third filter, we have .

Incandescent light bulbs produce visible light of all wavelengths. The mix of red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet (ROYGBIV) give the light its characteristic white appearance. For the MCAT, it is important to know the relative wavelengths of light for the visible spectrum (390 – 700nm) and where visiable wavelengths fit into the overall spectrum of electromagnetic radiation. From longest wavelength to shortest, the sequence of wavelengths is listed below.

Radio > Microwaves > Infrared > Visible > Ultraviolet > X-Rays > Gamma Rays

A photon is emitted if the electron goes from a higher to lower energy level, so we need a choice where the energy level, n, decreases. Also, we need to look for the transition that has the smallest energy difference, since frequency is proportional to energy (f = E/h, where h is Planck's constant). Higher energy levels are closer together, so the highest pair of levels has the smallest difference in energy and the lowest frequency of emitted photons.

As Einstein determined, light has properties of both a particle and a wave. In the particle sense, it has mass, velocity, and momentum. The wave property of light allows for diffraction, and constructive and destructive interference. For the MCAT, it is important to know that the photon (the particle of light) has both particle and wave properties. In fact, all objects have both particle and wave properties; however, their wave property becomes less obvious with increasing mass.

A photon is emitted if the electron goes from a higher to lower energy level, so we need a choice where the energy level, n, decreases. Also, we need to look for the transition that has the smallest energy difference, since frequency is proportional to energy (f = E/h, where h is Planck's constant). Higher energy levels are closer together, so the highest pair of levels has the smallest difference in energy and the lowest frequency of emitted photons.

The energy of a wave increases with increasing frequency and decreasing wavelength. Considering these different waves, radiowaves possess the longest wavelengths and gamma rays the shortest wavelength, thus gamma rays carry the greatest amount of energy.

The energy of a wave increases with increasing frequency and decreasing wavelength. Considering these different waves, radiowaves possess the longest wavelengths and gamma rays the shortest wavelength, thus gamma rays carry the greatest amount of energy.

As Einstein determined, light has properties of both a particle and a wave. In the particle sense, it has mass, velocity, and momentum. The wave property of light allows for diffraction, and constructive and destructive interference. For the MCAT, it is important to know that the photon (the particle of light) has both particle and wave properties. In fact, all objects have both particle and wave properties; however, their wave property becomes less obvious with increasing mass.