Ray Model of Light (slide 4) Flashcards
Ray Model of Light
angle of incidence
normal
angle of reflection
Luminous objects produce and radiate light
in all
directions
Light ray
A straight line (with an arrow) on a diagram representing the
direction and path that light is travelling
When light hits an object, it may be:
Transmitted
– flow of energy through an object
Absorbed –
– interception of energy (converted to different energy) -clothing/plants
Reflected –
– light changing directions by bouncing off an object (mirror)
Refracted –
light changing directions by bending through an object
Opacity of Objects
ability to transmit light
Transparent Object
allows all or most light to pass through
Translucent Object
some light passes through the object (reflected or absorbed)
Opaque Object
No light passes through (all the light is absorbed or reflected)
Mirror
Any polished surface reflecting an image
Reflection
The bouncing back of light from any surface
Plane Mirror
Flat mirror
Incident ray
Ray of light that travels from the source towards the surface of an object
Normal
The perpendicular line to a surface; where a ray of light meets the surface
Reflected ray
Ray of light that travels away from the surface of an object
Angle of incidence/reflection
The angle between the incident/reflected ray and the normal in a ray diagram
There are two laws of reflection
The angle of incidence equals the angle of reflection
The incident ray, the reflected ray, and the normal all lie in the same plane (same side of the mirror)
specular reflection
light reflects off of smooth surface
diffuse reflection
reflection off of a dull or irregular surface
