Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
The properties of light refer to the characteristics and behaviors that light exhibits, including reflection, refraction, interference, diffraction, polarization, and photoelectric effect.
Related terms
Reflection: This is the bouncing back of light when it hits a surface. It's like seeing your image in a mirror; the mirror reflects the light off your face back to your eyes.
Refraction: This is the bending of light as it passes from one medium to another with different densities. Imagine looking at a straw in a glass of water; it appears bent due to refraction.
Polarization: This refers to the orientation of the oscillations in a wave of light. It's like choosing which way you want your window blinds to face - up and down or side-to-side.