Wave Properties Flashcards
What is an incident ray?
The ray of light that hits the mirror
What is a reflected ray
A reflection of the ray of light that hit the mirror
What is the “normal”
A line drawn perpendicular to the mirror at the point the incident ray hits it
What is the angle of incidence?
The angle between the incidence and the normal
What is the angle of reflection?
The angle between the reflected ray and the normal
How does the image on a plane (flat) mirror show?
The same size as the object. Upright. The same distance behind the mirror as in front. Virtual.
What is a real image?
An image that can be formed on a screen because the light rays that produce the image actually pass through it
What is a virtual image?
An image that cannot be formed on a screen because the rays of light that produce the image only appear to pass through it
What happens to waves when they cross a boundary between two substances?
It changes speed and wavelength (the frequency stays the same)
What is meant by refraction?
The change of direction of a light ray when it passes through a boundary of two transparent substances (including air)
What is meant by diffraction?
The spreading of waves when they pass through a gap or around the edges of an obstacle that has a similar size wavelength of the waves
Why do we see images inside mirrors?
A reflection of light
