Reflection & Refraction Flashcards
Whats specular and diffuse reflection?
Specular reflection, which occurs with smooth surfaces like mirrors, causes light rays to reflect at the same angle as they hit the surface. Diffuse reflection, which occurs with rougher surfaces, scatters light rays in different directions.
Whats the meaning of “total internal reflection”?
complete reflection of a ray of light within a medium.
What conditions are needed for TIR?
The light ray moves from a more dense medium to a less dense medium.
The angle of incidence must be greater than the critical angle.
What causes mirages?
The hot air bends light rays and reflects the sky. When you see it from a distance, the different air masses colliding with each other act like a mirror.
Whats disperion?
The property by which light spread out according to its color as it passes through an object.
