Segment 2 Topic 3 Lesson 2

Reflection

Bouncing back of light from a surface.

Refraction

Bending of light as it passes between media.

Absorption

Process of light energy being taken in by a material.

Diffraction

Bending and spreading of light waves around obstacles.

Angle of Incidence

The angle formed between the incident ray and the normal line at the point of incidence.

Normal

An imaginary line that is perpendicular to the surface at the point of incidence.

Angle of Reflection

The angle formed between the reflected ray and the normal line at the point of reflection.

What is the principle of light traveling in a straight line?

Light travels in a straight line in uniform media unless acted upon by an external force or change in medium.

What is refraction index?

A measure of how much light slows down and bends when entering a new medium.

What happens to light when it moves from a denser to a rarer medium?

Light bends away from the normal line.

An example of diffraction is…

being able to hear someone speaking even around the corner of a hallway.

Constructive Interference

Occurs when two light waves meet in phase, resulting in a larger amplitude.

Destructive Interference

Occurs when two light waves meet out of phase, resulting in a smaller amplitude or cancellation.

Standing Wave

A wave that remains in a constant position, formed by the interference of two waves traveling in opposite directions.

Nodes

Points on a standing wave where the amplitude is always zero.

Antinodes

Points on a standing wave where the amplitude reaches a maximum.