definitions Flashcards
light
Light or visible light is electromagnetic radiation that can be perceived by the human eye.
speed of light
speed at which light waves propagate through different materials.
chemiluminescence
the direct production of light as the result of a chemical reaction with little or no heat produced
bioluminescence
the production of light in living organisms as the result of a chemical reaction with little or no heat produced
incandescence
the production of light as a result of high temperature
fluorescence
the immediate emission of visible light as a result of the absorption of ultraviolet light
phosphorescence
the process of producing light by the absorption of ultraviolet light resulting in the emission of visible lights over an extended period of time
triboluminescence
the production of light from friction as a result of scratching, crushing, or rubbing certain crystals
specular reflection
the reflection of light off a smoother surface
diffuse reflection
reflection of light off an irregular or dull surface
virtual image
an image formed by light coming from an apparent light source; light is not arriving at or coming from the actual image location
converge
to meet at a common point
diverge
to spread apart
refraction
the bending or change in direction of light when it travels from one medium to another
converging lens
a lens that is thickest in the middle and causes incident parallel light rays to converge through a single point after refraction
