Physics Topic 1 - Visible Light and the Solar System

Physics Topic 1 - Visible Light and the Solar System

1. Solar System

   • Facts about the Solar System.
     • Saturn has rings.
     • Pluto is now a Dwarf Planet.
     • Venus doesn't turn.
     • Mars has two moons.
   • The order of the Planets in the Geocentric Model.
     • Mercury
       • Venus
         • Earths
           • Mars
             • Jupiter
               • Saturn
     • The Sun is in the centre of the Geocentric Model.
   • The order of the Planets in the Heliocentric Model.
     • Earth
       • Mercury
         • Venus
           • Sun
             • Mars
               • Jupiter
                 • Saturn
     • The Earth is in the centre of the Heliocentric Model.

2. Waves

   • Wave Characteristics to know.
     • Wavelenght
       • The Wavelenght of a wave is the distance from a point on one wave to the same point on the next wave, measured in meters.
     • Amplitude
       • The Amplitude of a wave is the maximum distance of a point on the wave from its rest position, measured in metres.
     • Frequency
       • Wave frequency is the number of waves passing a point each second. It is measured in hertz (Hz). A frequency of 1 Hz means 1 wave passing per second.

3. Telescopes

   • Reflecting Telescopes
     • A Reflecting Telescope uses a lens and two mirrors.
       • Secondary Mirror
       • Primary Mirror
       • Eyepiece Lens
     • Reflecting Telescopes are a type of optical telescope that uses one or more mirrors to reflect light, forming an image.
     • As reflecting telescopes use mirrors, they are also called 'Catoptric Telescopes'.
   • Refracting Telescopes
     • A refracting telescope uses two lenses.
       • The Eyepiece Lens
         • This lens is placed at the 'Focal Point'.
       • The Objective Lens
         • The distance from the Focal Point to the Objective Lens is called the 'Focal Length'.
         • This lens is also known as a 'Convex Lens'.
     • How they work
       • In a refracting telescope, a convex lens (the objective lens) creates an image inside the tube and the eyepiece lens is used to magnify the image.

4. Lenses

   • Many optical devices use converging lenses t produce images that are magnified.
     • The magnification of converging lenses depends on how curved their surfaces are and how close together they are placed.
       • Some images can be shown on a screen.
   • This is the different from a virtual image, like that seen in a mirror.
     • In a virtual image, the rays of light appear to come from an image but do not actually come from that image.
       • A virtual image cannot be shown on a screen.