Ch13 Vocab Flashcards
Virtual Image
An image formed by diverging light rays that is perceived by the brain, even though the light rays do not actually originate from where the image appears to be located
Plane Mirror
Flat smooth surface that reflects light to form upright, virtual images
Concave Mirror
A reflective surface that curves inward and can magnify objects or create images
Optical axis
Imaginary straight line that is perpendicular to the surface at the center of a mirror or lens
Focal point
Location on the optical axis of a curved mirror or lens where light rays that are initially parallel to the optical axis converge after they strike the mirror or lens
Focal length
Distance from the center of a lens or mirror to the focal point
Real image
An image that appears at a certain location as a result of rays of light converging at that location
Convex mirror
A reflective surface that curves outward, away from the viewer, and forms a reduced, upright virtual image
Convex lens
A lens that is thicker in the middle than at the edges and can form real or virtual images
Concave lens
A lens that is thicker on the edges than in the middle, causes light rays to diverge and forms reduced, upright, virtual images often used with other lenses
Cornea
Transparent outer convering of the eyeball through which light enters the eye
Retina
Inner lining of the eye has cells which convert light images into electric signals for interpretation by the brain
Refracting telescope
Uses lens to gather and focus light from distant objects
Reflecting telescope
Uses mirrors and lenses to collect and focus light from distant objects
Microscope
Instrument that uses 2 convex lenses to magnify small, close objects
