Glossary

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kinetic energy - energy in motion. Kinetic energy is the greatest in gases and least in solids.

latent heat of fusion - the quantity of heat energy released when 1 kg of a substance changes from solid to liquid without changing temperature.

latent heat of vaporization - the quantity of heat energy released when 1 kg of a substance changes from liquid to vapor without changing temperature.

lateral displacement - when light passes from air into glass and back into air, if the refracting surfaces are parallel, then the emerging ray is parallel to the incident ray, just shifted over. This shift is called lateral displacement.

laterally inverted - left-right reversal. eg. when looking in the mirror, your right hand appears to be on the left side.

lens - a clear structure that refracts light onto the retina. The lens shape is controlled by the ciliary muscles and suspensory ligaments.

light year - the distance traveled by light in one year.
1 light year = 9.46 x 10¹⁵m.

linear expansion - the expansion of solids due to a temperature change. This expansion depends on its initial length, temperature change, and the type of substance it is made from.

longitudinal waves - waves such as sound where the particles move or vibrate parallel to the direction of the wave.

luminous body - a body that emits light waves (eg. the sun).

luminous flux - the rate of flow of light energy or power of visible light emitted from a light source, measured in lumens

luminous intensity - the amount of light or brightness that is given off by a light source, measured in candelas.

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