Ray Model of Light Flashcards
What does the ray model represent?
It represents the path taken by light
What does reflection mean?
The bouncing of light off a surface
What is a virtual image?
A virtual image is formed inside a mirror and cannot be formed on a screen
What are the components of a ray model of light? (5)
- Incident ray : light ray hitting the reflecting surface
- Angle of Incidence : angle between the incident ray and the normal
- Reflected Ray : Light travelling away from the reflecting surface after bouncing off the surface
- Angle of Reflection : Angle between the reflected ray and the normal
- Normal : line perpendicular to the surface at the point of incidence
GOOGLE FOR A DIAGRAM to see !
What is the effect of using a curved surface ?
Curved mirrors distort the images they form
- taller, shorter. wider etc
What are some uses of reflecting surfaces (plane and curved)
- dentists use concave mirrors to form a magnified image of the teeth
- convex mirrors are used as the side mirrors of cars
What happens when light reflects on a rough surface?
When parallel rays of light fall on a rough surface, each ray is reflected in a different direction,
hence we cannot see our reflection
Application of Infrared Radiation?
Can be used in healthcare, eg thermal imaging cameras
What are some harmful effects of Infrared Radiation?
- Harms the eyes
- Contributes to climate change when trapped in the atmosphere
Applications of Ultraviolet (UV) Radiation?
- small amounts increases the production of vitamin D in our bodies
- used in the medical treatment for skin diseases
- Sterilisation
Harmful effects of UV radiation?
harms our eyes and cause skin cancer
What are the Characteristics of the image formed by a plane mirror?
Clear images are formed.
Same size as object
mirror-reversed (Left = right)
No distortion
symmetrical
