Wavelength is the distance between two consecutive crests
(tops) or two consecutive troughs (bottoms) of a wave.
Blue light has a shorter wavelength than red light.
🔵 Blue → shorter wavelength → waves closer together →
higher energy
🔴 Red → longer wavelength → waves farther apart → lower
energy
Raman Effect = change in wavelength → change in
colour.
If light loses energy, its wavelength becomes longer ✅
Energy ↓ → wavelength ↑ → shifts toward red
Energy ↑ → wavelength ↓ → shifts toward blue
What is a Photon?
Photon, also known as light quantum, is a minute energy packet of
electromagnetic radiation. The idea of photon arose in 1905 from Albert
Einstein’s description of the photoelectric effect, in which he suggested
the presence of discrete energy packets during the transmission of light.
Einstein deduced that the light quantum could also be associated with
momentum (h ν/c). A substantial energy value and momentum strongly
indicated that the light quantum could be associated with a particle. This
particle was later named photon. Therefore, a photon is defined as a
discrete bundle (or quantum) of electromagnetic (or light) energy. Since
photons are massless, they also move at the speed of light (3 × 10 8 m/s).
Same direction → distance changes slowly → subtract speeds
Opposite direction → distance changes fast → add speeds
Relative speed just measures:
Rate of change of distance between objects.
28.04.2026
🔑 What Are Simple Machines?
Simple machines are basic tools that make work easier by
changing the way force is used.
A simple machine is a device with few or no moving parts.
It helps by either reducing the effort needed, changing
the direction of force, or multiplying force.
They give us what’s called mechanical advantage
(meaning you can do more with less effort).
The wedge is the oldest simple machine.
Relationships Between Machines
Screw = inclined plane wrapped around a cylinder.
Wedge = two inclined planes back-to-back.
Many tools combine machines (scissors = lever + wedge).
Classes of Levers
First class: Fulcrum in the middle (seesaw, crowbar).
Second class: Load in the middle (wheelbarrow).
Third class: Effort in the middle (broom, baseball bat).
VIRTUAL IMAGE:
A virtual image is an optical illusion where light rays
appear to meet at a point, but do not actually intersect in reality. Because the
light rays don't physically converge, you cannot project a virtual image onto
a screen; it can only be seen by looking directly into the lens or mirror
The Science Behind Seeing Colour!
✨ Seeing colour is a fascinating collaboration
between light, the eyes, and the brain. Objects don't actually
possess colour; they absorb specific wavelengths of light and
reflect others. The reflected light enters the eye and
stimulates cone cells, which then send electrical signals to the
brain to be interpreted.
✨The entire process breaks down into three key
steps:
1. The Physics: Reflected Light
Light waves hit an object (like a red apple), which absorbs
certain wavelengths and bounces others back.
Humans perceive this range of electromagnetic energy as
the visible spectrum, which spans from 400 nm (violet) to
700 nm (red).
✨Colour is not an inherent property of objects; it is a
psychological hallucination created entirely by your
brain.
2. The biology: The Eye's Receptor’s
Light enters the eye, passes through the lens, and hits the
retina.
The retina relies on two types of light-sensitive cells: rods
(which only detect light and dark in dim conditions) and
cones (which are responsible for colour).
💜 Rods: Highly sensitive cells numbering roughly 90 to
120 million. They allow us to see movement and shapes in low light but
cannot distinguish colours, which is why your night vision is strictly in
shades of grey.
💜Cones: Roughly 6 million specialized cells clustered
heavily in the centre of the retina (the fovea). Cones only function in
bright, well-lit environments and are 100% responsible for colour vision.
Most humans have three types of cones, each sensitive to
different wavelengths: short (blue), medium (green), and long
(red).
Humans are trichromats, meaning our eyes typically feature
three distinct types of cone cells tuned to specific,
overlapping bands of light.
The Science Behind Seeing Colour! (Advance Level);
Ahaguru.