Physics: The Ray Model Of Light

Question 1

What is the ray model of light?

Answer 1

In the ray model of light, light is represented as straight lines called rays that show the direction that light travels from its source. Each ray ends with an arrow to indicate the direction of travel. The more rays that reach your eyes, the brighter the object appears.

Question 2

In what type of model is light represented as straight lines that show the direction that light travels from its source.

Answer 2

The Ray Model Of Light

Question 3

Describe transparent materials.

Answer 3

-transmit light freely
-absorbs and reflects very little light
examples- clear glass or plastic

Question 4

Describe translucent materials.

Answer 4

-transmit some light, but not enough to see through the material
-some light can pass through
example- a frosted window

Question 5

Describe opaque materials.

Answer 5

• objects absorb and reflect light

- do not transmit

Question 6

What would a ray model diagram of a candle and a translucent pane look like?

Answer 6

Most rays go through the object, but not all of them.

Question 7

What would a ray model diagram of a candle and a transparent pane look like?

Answer 7

All rays go right through the pane.

Question 8

What would a ray model diagram of a candle and a opaque pane look like?

Answer 8

All rays reflect off of the pane.

Question 9

When does a shadow occur?

Answer 9

When an opaque object blocks the direct light from a light source.

Question 10

What is it called when an opaque object blocks the direct light from a light source?

Answer 10

Shadow

Question 11

What type of shadows do small light sources cast?

Answer 11

Sharp and well defined.

Question 12

What is the umbra?

Answer 12

The umbra is the part of the shadow in which all light rays from the light sources are blocked.

Question 13

What is the penumbra?

Answer 13

The penumbra is the part of the shadow in which some of the direct light is blocked and some of the direct light isn’t. It is the area of partial shadow.

Question 14

Describe regular reflection.

Answer 14

• the light rays strike a smooth surface and reflect in the same direction staying parallel to one another
• all the rays are reflected at the same angle
• it is possible to see an image in the reflection

Question 15

Describe diffuse reflection.

Answer 15

• light rays reflect off of a rough or uneven surface, they do not remain parallel but are scattered in different directions
• even objects that do not reflect an image can still reflect light