Light and Optical AI notes Flashcards
What does light behave in predictable ways mean?
Light behaves consistently based on its interactions with materials and its travel patterns.
How does light travel?
Light travels in rays and interacts with materials.
What is the significance of light traveling in straight lines?
Our perception of the world relies on the assumption that light moves from objects to our eyes in straight lines.
How long does it take light from Alpha Centauri to reach Earth?
4.3 years.
What are ray diagrams?
Diagrams used to represent the direction of light rays and their interactions.
What does each ray in a ray diagram have to indicate?
An arrow to show the direction of travel.
Do ray diagrams show all light rays from a source?
No, they usually only show the light rays that travel to the target.
Why are ray diagrams useful?
They show how light behaves in different situations.
Fill in the blank: Light rays from __________ take 4.3 years to reach our eyes.
Alpha Centauri
True or False: Ray diagrams include all light rays emitted from a light source.
False.
What is a Ray Diagram?
A diagram used to represent how light travels.
Each ray has an arrow to show the direction of travel.
What does a Ray Diagram typically show?
Light rays that travel towards a target.
Although light travels in all directions from a light source, only specific rays are illustrated.
Why are Ray Diagrams useful?
They show how light behaves in different situations.
Fill in the blank: Ray diagrams can help explain why the _______ or intensity of a light changes.
[brightness]
What does brightness of light refer to?
Brightness of light refers to the intensity of light per unit area at a place.
What do ray diagrams help explain?
Ray diagrams help explain shadows.
How do we perceive shadows?
We perceive the lack of light as a shadow.
What happens to light rays as you move farther from a light source?
Fewer light rays reach your eyes.
What is created by the absence of light?
A shadow is created.
How does light behave when it strikes different materials?
Light behaves in different ways depending on the type of material it strikes.
What are transparent materials?
Transparent materials allow light to pass through with little or no reflection; for example, glass.
What are translucent materials?
Translucent materials allow some (but not all) light to pass through.
What are opaque materials?
Opaque materials do not allow light to pass through; for example, wood, metal, cardboard, etc.
What are non-luminous objects?
Non-luminous objects do not produce light but may reflect it; for example, the moon.
Fill in the blank: A shadow is created by the _______ of light.
absence
True or False: All objects on Earth are luminous.
False
What does brightness of light refer to?
Brightness of light refers to the intensity of light per unit area at a place.
What do ray diagrams help explain?
Ray diagrams help explain shadows.
How do we perceive shadows?
We perceive the lack of light as a shadow.
What happens to light rays as you move farther from a light source?
Fewer light rays reach your eyes.
What is created by the absence of light?
A shadow is created.
How does light behave when it strikes different materials?
Light behaves in different ways depending on the type of material it strikes.
What are transparent materials?
Transparent materials allow light to pass through with little or no reflection; for example, glass.
What are translucent materials?
Translucent materials allow some (but not all) light to pass through.
What are opaque materials?
Opaque materials do not allow light to pass through; for example, wood, metal, cardboard, etc.
What are non-luminous objects?
Non-luminous objects do not produce light but may reflect it; for example, the moon.
Fill in the blank: A shadow is created by the _______ of light.
absence
True or False: All objects on Earth are luminous.
False
What is diffuse reflection?
The scattering of light rays at different angles when they hit a rough surface.
This type of reflection results in a more spread out reflection compared to regular reflection.
What type of surface causes diffuse reflection?
A rough surface.
Rough surfaces scatter light rays in multiple directions.
What happens during regular reflection?
All rays reflect at the same angle when they hit a smooth surface.
This type of reflection occurs on smooth surfaces like mirrors.
What type of measurement is expressed in numbers or units?
Quantitative measurement.
This type of measurement allows for numerical analysis and comparison.
What type of measurement is expressed in words based on qualities or attributes?
Qualitative measurement.
This type of measurement describes characteristics but does not involve numbers.
What are some examples of objects that produce light?
- The Sun
- Light bulb
- Fire
These objects are sources of illumination.
What are the main sources of our knowledge about light and vision?
Explanations, inventions, and investigations
These sources help us understand how light behaves and how we perceive it.
What is the purpose of optical devices?
To overcome the limitations of our eyes
Optical devices enhance our ability to see and analyze light.
When was the Hubble Telescope put into orbit?
1990
The Hubble Telescope has provided significant advancements in our understanding of the universe.
Why does the Hubble Telescope have better image quality?
It does not have to see through the Earth’s atmosphere
This allows for clearer and more detailed images of celestial objects.
What is the anticipated launch year for the replacement of the Hubble Telescope (NGST)?
2008
The Next Generation Space Telescope (NGST) is expected to be significantly more powerful.
How much more powerful will the NGST be compared to the Hubble Telescope?
10x more powerful
This increase in power will enhance observational capabilities.
What is the Capsule Endoscope designed for?
To take high-quality images of the digestive tract
It is a medical device that patients swallow to monitor their internal health.
How does the Capsule Endoscope transmit images?
By radio signal to a video unit outside the body
This allows for non-invasive visualization of the digestive system.
Fill in the blank: The Capsule Endoscope is swallowed like a _______.
pill
This design allows for easy ingestion and monitoring.
What are the main sources of our knowledge about light and vision?
Explanations, inventions, and investigations
These sources help us understand how light behaves and how we perceive it.
What is the purpose of optical devices?
To overcome the limitations of our eyes
Optical devices enhance our ability to see and analyze light.
When was the Hubble Telescope put into orbit?
1990
The Hubble Telescope has provided significant advancements in our understanding of the universe.
Why does the Hubble Telescope have better image quality?
It does not have to see through the Earth’s atmosphere
This allows for clearer and more detailed images of celestial objects.
What is the anticipated launch year for the replacement of the Hubble Telescope (NGST)?
2008
The Next Generation Space Telescope (NGST) is expected to be significantly more powerful.
How much more powerful will the NGST be compared to the Hubble Telescope?
10x more powerful
This increase in power will enhance observational capabilities.
What is the Capsule Endoscope designed for?
To take high-quality images of the digestive tract
It is a medical device that patients swallow to monitor their internal health.
How does the Capsule Endoscope transmit images?
By radio signal to a video unit outside the body
This allows for non-invasive visualization of the digestive system.
Fill in the blank: The Capsule Endoscope is swallowed like a _______.
pill
This design allows for easy ingestion and monitoring.
Who suggested the concept that the angle of incidence equals the angle of reflection?
Euclid
What is the relationship between the angle of incidence and the angle of reflection according to Euclid?
Angle A = Angle B
What problem did Euclid’s theory face regarding visibility in darkness?
If light consisted of beams, why can’t you see in the dark?
What did Euclid believe light consisted of?
Beams
During which century did the development of early light ideas occur?
6th century B.C.
What ancient civilizations were involved in the study and use of light?
Greece and Ancient China
What was one of the uses of mirrors in ancient times?
To burn enemy ships
Fill in the blank: The theory of light developed in ancient Greece during the _______.
6th century B.C.
True or False: Euclid’s theories on light were universally accepted without any challenges.
False
What did people begin to study and work with since the beginning of recorded history?
Light
What was the primary challenge in understanding light as suggested in early theories?
The nature of sight and visibility in darkness
What was the Greek scientist’s plan regarding light?
To come up with a theory about light
Who described how light behaves in the first century A.D.?
Ptolemy
What significant contribution did A-Haytham make in 1000 A.D.?
Wrote a book on optics
What theory did A-Haytham’s proof lead to the abandonment of?
Pythagoras’ theory
What phenomenon did A-Haytham struggle to explain?
Rainbows
Which scientist is known for his light experiment involving prisms?
Sir Isaac Newton
What did Newton use from Descartes’ ideas to explain color in light?
That sunlight was modified to form color light
What did Newton demonstrate by passing light through a prism?
Light is a mixture of different colors
What was the outcome when Newton passed light through a second prism?
The colors combined back into white light
Who made the first reasonably accurate measurement of the speed of light?
Ole Romer
In what year did Ole Romer make his measurement of the speed of light?
1676
Who refined Ole Romer’s measurement of the speed of light in the 1920s?
Albert A. Michelson
Fill in the blank: The speed of light was calculated by Albert A. Michelson through _______.
Earth’s atmosphere
What is the Law of Reflection?
The angle of incidence of a wave hitting a surface equals the angle of reflection.
What is an incident ray?
Ray of light that arrives at a mirror or other surface.
What is a plane mirror?
Flat mirror with a reflecting surface that has no curvature.
What type of reflection do plane mirrors give?
Clearest reflection.
What is the normal in the context of reflection?
Line perpendicular to a surface, forming a 90° angle with the surface.
Fill in the blank: The angle between the incident ray and the normal is called the _______.
angle of incidence.
Fill in the blank: The angle between the reflected ray and the normal is called the _______.
angle of reflection.
True or False: The angle of incidence is always equal to the angle of reflection.
True.
What are the two types of single curvature mirrors commonly used?
- Concave mirrors
- Convex mirrors
Concave mirrors are curved inward, while convex mirrors are curved outward.
What is a concave mirror?
A reflecting surface that is curved inward like the inside of a bowl or spoon
Concave mirrors are known for converging parallel light rays to a focal point.
What is the focal point in relation to a concave mirror?
The point at which light rays meet, or appear to meet, after being reflected by the mirror
The focal point is crucial for applications like telescopes.
True or False: Mirrors with multiple curves have significant practical uses.
False
Mirrors with multiple curves are noted to have no real practical uses.
Fill in the blank: Concave mirrors are ideal for _______ telescopes.
reflecting
Reflecting telescopes utilize concave mirrors to focus light.
What happens to light rays when a light is placed at the focal point of a concave mirror?
The light rays leave the mirror as parallel rays
This property is utilized in devices like flashlights and car headlights.
What are the two types of single curvature mirrors commonly used?
- Concave mirrors
- Convex mirrors
Concave mirrors are curved inward, while convex mirrors are curved outward.
What is a concave mirror?
A reflecting surface that is curved inward like the inside of a bowl or spoon
Concave mirrors are known for converging parallel light rays to a focal point.
What is the focal point in relation to a concave mirror?
The point at which light rays meet, or appear to meet, after being reflected by the mirror
The focal point is crucial for applications like telescopes.
True or False: Mirrors with multiple curves have significant practical uses.
False
Mirrors with multiple curves are noted to have no real practical uses.
Fill in the blank: Concave mirrors are ideal for _______ telescopes.
reflecting
Reflecting telescopes utilize concave mirrors to focus light.
What happens to light rays when a light is placed at the focal point of a concave mirror?
The light rays leave the mirror as parallel rays
This property is utilized in devices like flashlights and car headlights.
What determines the image formed by a mirror?
The distance of the object from the focal point of the mirror
How does the distance of an object from the focal point affect the image size?
The closer the object is to the focal point, the larger the image appears
What happens to the image if the object is between the focal point and the mirror?
The image will appear upright and enlarged
Fill in the blank: The _____ formed depends on how far the object is from the focal point of the mirror.
[image]
True or False: A closer object to the focal point results in a smaller image.
False
What is a convex mirror?
A reflecting surface that bulges out like the back of a spoon
What happens to light rays reflected from a convex mirror?
They diverge (spread out)
How do convex mirrors differ from concave mirrors?
They do the opposite of concave mirrors
What is the appearance of an image in a convex mirror?
It appears as if it was originating from a smaller point behind the mirror
Complete the phrase: ‘Objects in the mirror are _______ than they appear.’
closer
What is the process called when light strikes a surface and bounces back?
Reflection
Reflection depends on the Law of Reflection and the type of surface it hits.
What is the term for the light coming from a light source?
Incident ray
What is the term for the light that bounces off a surface?
Reflected ray
What is the line called that is perpendicular to the surface in the context of reflection?
Normal line
What is the angle between the incident ray and the normal line called?
Angle of incidence (i)
What is the angle between the reflected ray and the normal line called?
Angle of reflection (r)
What does the Law of Reflection state?
The angle of incidence equals the angle of reflection
It also states that the incident ray, normal line, and reflected ray all lie in the same plane.
What is the focal point in relation to a concave mirror?
In front of the mirror
What is an image formed in a mirror based on?
Light reflecting off all points on the object being observed
What type of mirror is described as caving in?
Concave mirror
What do concave mirrors form?
Images that appear closer than they actually are
What is the focal point in relation to a convex mirror?
Behind the mirror
What type of mirrors are used in security devices and telescopes?
Convex mirrors
What do convex mirrors form?
Images that appear much smaller and farther away than the object
Fill in the blank: The angle of incidence (i) and the angle of reflection (r) are equal according to the _______.
Law of Reflection
True or False: Concave mirrors can reflect light from a large area.
True
What are common applications of convex mirrors?
- Rear-view mirrors
- Side mirrors on automobiles
- Flashlights
- Cosmetic mirrors
- Security devices
What is refraction?
The process in which light is bent when it travels from one medium to another.
Why does light bend when it moves through different materials?
Because it changes speed when moving through materials of different densities.
What effect does refraction have on the appearance of an object?
It makes the object’s image appear to be in a different position than it really is.
What is a mirage?
An optical illusion caused by the refraction of light through air at different temperatures.
What happens to light when it travels from a less dense medium to a more dense medium?
It bends toward the normal.
What happens to light when it exits a denser medium into a less dense medium?
It bends away from the normal.
What is the Law of Refraction?
When light travels from one medium to another, it bends toward the normal in a denser medium and away from the normal in a less dense medium.
What is the angle of refraction?
The new direction of light after it has been refracted.
Fill in the blank: Light travels slower in materials that are _______.
[denser]
What happens to light when it strikes a surface?
It can be absorbed, reflected, or transmitted through in a new direction.
What factors can affect how light behaves when it strikes a surface?
The nature of the surface, such as whether it is rough, dark, opaque, smooth, or shiny.
True or False: All light that strikes a surface is either reflected or absorbed.
False.
What is the relationship between air temperature and light refraction?
Warm air is less dense than cold air, which can cause refraction.
What happens to some light when it travels through different transparent media?
Some light is reflected, some light is absorbed, and some light is transmitted.
What is a lens?
A lens is a curved piece of transparent material (glass/plastic)
Lenses are used to refract and focus light.
What happens to light rays when they pass through a lens?
The light is refracted, causing the rays to bend.
Describe a double concave lens.
A double concave lens is thinner and flatter in the middle than at the edges.
What effect does a double concave lens have on light?
It causes the light to spread out or diverge.
Describe a double convex lens.
A double convex lens is thicker in the middle than around the edges.
What effect does a double convex lens have on light?
It causes the light to come together at a focal point, or converge.
What are some practical applications of lenses?
Eyeglasses, overhead projectors, and film projectors.
How do convex lenses affect light rays from an object?
They refract the light rays so they can be focused.
What occurs when light from the left portion of an object passes through a lens?
It is directed to the right.
What occurs when light from the top of an object passes through a lens?
It is directed to the bottom.
What is the result of the light direction changes caused by lenses?
The image is inverted.
What is the focal point in relation to a converging lens?
It is the point where incident rays converge.
What happens to incident rays that travel parallel to the principal axis when passing through a converging lens?
They refract through the lens and converge to a point.
What happens to incident rays that travel through the focal point when passing through a converging lens?
They refract through the lens and travel parallel to the principal axis.
What factors influence image formation with a double convex lens?
Where the object is placed and the orientation of the light source.
