17. Geometric optics Flashcards
The law of reflection states that, for a ray of light, the angle of incidence is equal to what?
The angle of reflection.
What is the angle of incidence?
The angle between the incident ray, or ray that enters, and the normal line to the surface.
What is the angle of relfection?
The angle between the reflected ray, or ray that goes out, and the normal line to the surface.
What is refraction?
The change in direction of a wave caused by a change in wave speed when a wave travels from one medium to another.
What is the measure of the speed of a wave in any given media?
Index of refraction.
Mirrors reflect light to form images that can be what?
Virtual, real, larger, smaller, upright, inverted.
The location of the formed image is dependent on the object distance and what?
The focal point.
Virtual images appear to be where?
Behind the mirror.
Real images appear to be where?
In front of the mirror.
What do lenses do?
Refract light to form images.
What are images dependent on?
The object distance and the focal length.
What is vision?
The ability to see by collecting light and focusing the light on the retina.
What in the eye focus the light that enters the eye on the retina?
Cornea and lens.
What is visible light focused on the retina changed into?
Electrical signals sent to the brain.
What is diffraction?
When constructive or destructive interference of light with itself sets up an interference pattern of bright and dark spots.
