Module 7: The Nature of Light

investigate Maxwell’s contribution to the classical theory of electromagnetism, including:

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• unification of electricity and magnetism

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• prediction of electromagnetic waves

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• prediction of velocity (ACSPH113)ACSPH113

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describe the production and propagation of electromagnetic waves and relate these processes qualitatively to the predictions made by Maxwell’s electromagnetic theory (ACSPH112, ACSPH113)ACSPH112 ACSPH113

not written yet · needs a worked example

conduct investigations of historical and contemporary methods used to determine the speed of light and its current relationship to the measurement of time and distance (ACSPH082)ACSPH082

not written yet · needs a worked example

conduct an investigation to examine a variety of spectra produced by discharge tubes, reflected sunlight or incandescent filaments

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investigate how spectroscopy can be used to provide information about:

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• the identification of elements

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investigate how the spectra of stars can provide information on:

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• surface temperature

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• rotational and translational velocity

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• density

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• chemical composition

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conduct investigations to analyse qualitatively the diffraction of light (ACSPH048, ACSPH076)ACSPH048 ACSPH076

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conduct investigations to analyse quantitatively the interference of light using double slit apparatus and diffraction gratings $d\sin \theta =m\lambda$ (ACSPH116, ACSPH117, ACSPH140)ACSPH116 ACSPH117 ACSPH140

not written yet · needs a worked example

analyse the experimental evidence that supported the models of light that were proposed by Newton and Huygens (ACSPH050, ACSPH118, ACSPH123)ACSPH050 ACSPH118 ACSPH123

not written yet · needs a worked example

conduct investigations quantitatively using the relationship of Malus’ Law $I=I_{\max }{\cos }^2\theta$ for plane polarisation of light, to evaluate the significance of polarisation in developing a model for light (ACSPH050, ACSPH076, ACSPH120)ACSPH050 ACSPH076 ACSPH120

not written yet · needs a worked example

analyse the experimental evidence gathered about black body radiation, including Wien’s Law related to Planck's contribution to a changed model of light (ACSPH137)ACSPH137

taught and practised · 9 questions · Light: Quantum Model

• ${\lambda }_{\max }=\frac{\mathrm{b}}{\mathrm{T}}$

  taught and practised · 3 questions · Light: Quantum Model

investigate the evidence from photoelectric effect investigations that demonstrated inconsistency with the wave model for light (ACSPH087, ACSPH123, ACSPH137)ACSPH087 ACSPH123 ACSPH137

taught and practised · 6 questions · Light: Quantum Model

analyse the photoelectric effect $K_{\max }=hf-\varphi$ as it occurs in metallic elements by applying the law of conservation of energy and the photon model of light, (ACSPH119)ACSPH119

taught and practised · 10 questions · Light: Quantum Model

analyse and evaluate the evidence confirming or denying Einstein’s two postulates:

taught and practised · 4 questions · Special Relativity

• the speed of light in a vacuum is an absolute constant

  taught and practised · 3 questions · Special Relativity

• all inertial frames of reference are equivalent (ACSPH131)ACSPH131

  taught and practised · 2 questions · Special Relativity

investigate the evidence, from Einstein’s thought experiments and subsequent experimental validation, for time dilation $t=\frac{t_0}{\sqrt{\left(1-\frac{v^2}{c^2}\right)}}$ and length contraction $l=l_0\sqrt{\left(1-\frac{v^2}{c^2}\right)}$, and analyse quantitatively situations in which these are observed, for example:

taught and practised · 7 questions · Special Relativity

• observations of cosmic-origin muons at the Earth’s surface

  taught and practised · 2 questions · Special Relativity

• atomic clocks (Hafele–Keating experiment)

  taught and practised · 1 questions · Special Relativity

• evidence from particle accelerators

  taught and practised · 1 questions · Special Relativity

• evidence from cosmological studies

  taught and practised · 1 questions · Special Relativity

describe the consequences and applications of relativistic momentum with reference to:

taught and practised · 3 questions · Special Relativity

• $p_v=\frac{m_{0}v}{\sqrt{\left(1-\frac{v^2}{c^2}\right)}}$

  taught and practised · 1 questions · Special Relativity

• the limitation on the maximum velocity of a particle imposed by special relativity (ACSPH133)ACSPH133

  taught and practised · 2 questions · Special Relativity

Use Einstein’s mass–energy equivalence relationship $E=m{c}^2$ to calculate the energy released by processes in which mass is converted to energy, for example: (ACSPH134)ACSPH134

taught and practised · 4 questions · Special Relativity

• production of energy by the sun

  taught and practised · 1 questions · Special Relativity

• particle–antiparticle interactions, eg positron–electron annihilation

  taught and practised · 1 questions · Special Relativity

• combustion of conventional fuel

  taught and practised · 2 questions · Special Relativity