Ch 26: Light, Electricity & Nuclear Reactions
About This Chapter
Light, Electricity & Nuclear Reactions - Chapter Summary
Get an overview of light, electricity and nuclear reactions with this comprehensive online science chapter. Using a simplified and engaging teaching style, our expert instructors show you the basics of electric circuits, electrical energy, nuclear chemistry, radioactive decay and light wavelengths. When you're finished with the chapter, you should be able to:
- Distinguish between opaque and transparent materials in electromagnetic waves
- Discuss color absorption and reflection
- Compare different types of electric circuits
- Define Ohm's law and the kinetic theory of matter
- Understand the applications of nuclear chemistry
- Differentiate between types of radioactive decay
- Assess the wavelengths of visible and ultraviolet light
- Recognize examples of electrical energy and conduction
The chapter can be accessed on any computer or mobile device, and it's available to study any time that fits your schedule. Work through the lessons at your own pace, and take the accompanying self-assessment quizzes to make sure you fully understand important light and electricity terms and concepts. You can also submit questions to our instructors and print word-for-word lesson transcripts.
1. Transparent and Opaque Materials in Electromagnetic Waves
What makes an object transparent or opaque? How does light pass through some objects and not others? And what about the other types of electromagnetic waves? We'll investigate all these questions in this lesson about the transparency and opacity of materials.
2. Color: White Light, Reflection & Absorption
What gives color to objects? How do light waves interact with materials to produce red and green or white and black? In this lesson, learn how white light is composed of all colors and how absorption and reflection influence our color perception.
3. Why the Sun Changes Color
The Sun does not change its true color. However, the way we observe the Sun on Earth makes it appear that the sun changes color. Why this is so is outlined in this lesson.
4. Electrical Circuits: Energy Transfer & Conservation
After completing this lesson, you will be able to explain what an electric circuit it, how energy transfers in a circuit, and how circuits relate to the conservation of energy. A short quiz will follow.
5. What is Electrical Energy? - Definition & Examples
This lesson defines electrical energy and explores its role as a form of potential energy. It also offers an explanation of how it functions within electric fields and provides examples of its applications.
6. Complete, Open & Short Electric Circuits
Learn about the difference between three types of circuit: a complete circuit, an open circuit and a short circuit. Then see how much you can remember by taking a quiz.
7. Ohm's Law: Definition & Relationship Between Voltage, Current & Resistance
Did you know that electrical current is affected by the voltage and resistance in a circuit? In this lesson, we'll use Ohm's law, which tells us how current, voltage, and resistance are related, as we work through several electric circuit examples.
8. Fusion, Fission, Carbon Dating, Tracers & Imaging: Applications of Nuclear Chemistry
What can the sun do that we can't? How do carbon atoms 'date'? Are radioactive isotopes helpful in the medical field? The answers to these questions can be found in this lesson on the applications of nuclear chemistry.
9. Radioactive Decay: Definition, Formula & Types
In this lesson, we'll discuss radioactive decay and learn the terms parent nucleus, daughter nucleus, and half-life. We'll also examine three types of radioactive decay.
10. What is Visible Light? - Wavelength & Spectrum
In this lesson you will learn about the electromagnetic spectrum and where visible light can be found in that spectrum. You will learn about the properties of visible light such as the range of wavelengths and frequencies that make up the visible spectrum.
11. What is Ultraviolet Light? - Definition, Wavelength & Uses
Ultraviolet light is invisible to the human eye but is very important for life. In this lesson, we'll learn where UV light comes from, how it affects living things, and how it is used in many other applications.
12. What is Conduction in Science? - Definition & Examples
How does water boil? Why do lights come on when we flip the switch? These normal occurrences are made possible by a process called conduction. In this lesson, we will talk about conduction and some examples.
13. The Kinetic Theory of Matter: Definition & The Four States of Matter
Everything on Earth is made of matter, but that matter isn't always the same. Matter can exist in four different phases, and the kinetic theory of matter helps us understand the differences between those phases.
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Other Chapters
Other chapters within the M-STEP Science - Grade 11: Test Prep & Practice course
- Scientific Inquiry & Reflection
- Earth Systems Overview
- Energy & Biochemical Cycles in Earth Systems
- Human Impacts on Earth Systems
- Advanced Rock Cycle
- The Interior of the Earth
- Plate Tectonics Theory
- Earthquakes & Volcanoes Overview
- Hydrogeology Overview
- Oceans & Climate
- Weather and Storms
- The Earth & Sun as a Part of a Galaxy
- Basics of Earth History & Geologic Time
- Climate Change
- Transformation of Matter & Energy in Cells
- Living Organism Composition
- Interdependence of Living Systems & the Environment
- Ecosystems & Populations
- DNA & Mutations
- Mitosis & Meiosis
- Evolution & Biodiversity
- Physics & the Motion of Objects
- The Physics of Forces & Motion
- Forms of Energy
- Basics of Waves
- Energy Transfer & Conservation
- Properties & States of Matter
- Chemical Changes in Matter
- M-STEP Science - Grade 11 Flashcards