Biology 1002B Lecture Notes - Lecture 6: Electromagnetic Spectrum, Light-Independent Reactions, Light-Dependent Reactions
28 Feb 2016
School
Department
Course
Professor
Document Summary
Electromagnetic energy is given off by the sun due to the fusion of hydrogen. The distance between the crest of the waves determines the type. The portion of the electromagnetic spectrum that humans can see. Act like particles in motion they have a fixed quantity of energy. Wavelength of light is inverse to the amount of energy (long wavelength corresponds to low energy and vice versa). Violet light has more energy than red light. Light has no mass, but still interacts with matter. When light hits an object it may an interact with object in 3 different ways. Reflected (which is how we observe different colors). Absorbed (by the object) exciting an electron, thus raising the energy level. To be used as a source of energy, light must be absorbed. Pigment - molecules which are very efficient at absorbing photons.
