Reflection And Refraction Flashcards
Where can waves be reflected?
At the boundary between two different materials
What does the law of reflection state?
Angle of incidence=angle of reflection
Where is angle of incidence and refraction measured?
Between the light ray and normal(an imaginary line 90° to the surface)
What is specular reflection?
Type of reflection that comes from a smooth flat surface
Where does specular reflection usually happen?
A flat mirror
What is the image in the mirror like?
Upright and virtual
How do light rays appear in a virtual image?
Appear to diverge from behind the mirror, so image appears to come from behind the mirror
What is diffuse reflection?
Type of reflection on rough surfaces
Where does light reflect in diffuse reflection?
The reflected light is transferred in all directions
If light rays go in all directions what does this do to the image?
It will cause a distorted image of the object or no image at all
What is an example of diffuse reflection?
Ripples on the water
Does diffuse reflection follow the laws of reflection?
Yes but light rays touch the surface at different angles
What is refraction?
Change of direction of a wave at a boundary
What can refraction cause and why?
Optical illusions
Because the light rays appear to come from a different position that the source
How does density of a material affect speed a wave transmits through it
The denser the transparent material the more slowly light travels through it
