Something can be "seen" when light waves emitted or reflected by it enter the eye—just as something can be "heard" when sound waves from it enter the ear.
Learning Goal 4
Vibrations in materials set up wavelike disturbances that spread away from the source. Sound and earthquake waves are examples. These and other waves move at different speeds in different materials.
For Grades: 9-12
Learning Goal 5ab
The observed wavelength of a wave depends upon the relative motion of the source and the observer. If either is moving toward the other, the observed wavelength is shorter; if either is moving away, the wavelength is longer.
Learning Goal 5c
Because the light seen from almost all distant galaxies has longer wavelengths than comparable light here on Earth, astronomers believe that the whole universe is expanding.
Learning Goal 6ab
Waves can superpose on one another, bend around corners, reflect off surfaces, be absorbed by materials they enter, and change direction when entering a new material. All these effects vary with wavelength.
