General Physics / Physics Dentistry - Light Reflection, Refraction, Optical Lenses

This collection of flashcards covers key concepts of light reflection, refraction, optical lenses, and image formation, tailored for a physics dentistry course.

Light

An electromagnetic radiation that has properties of waves, defined as photons moving in straight lines.

Speed of Light

Approximately 300,000 kilometers per second (3x10^8 m/s), the speed at which light travels.

Law of Reflection

States that the angle of reflection equals the angle of incidence.

Specular Reflection

Reflection of light from a smooth surface where the angle of incidence equals the angle of reflection.

Diffuse Reflection

Reflection of light from a rough surface, where the angle of incidence changes across the surface.

Refraction

The bending of light as it passes from one medium to another, depending on the indices of refraction.

Index of Refraction

The ratio of the speed of light in vacuum to the speed of light in the medium.

Snell's Law

Describes the relationship between the angles of incidence and refraction when light passes through different media.

Critical Angle

The angle of incidence at which light can no longer pass through to the other medium and is fully reflected.

Converging Lens

A lens that is thicker in the middle and brings parallel light rays to a focus.

Diverging Lens

A lens that is thicker at the edges, causing parallel light rays to diverge.

Magnification (M)

The ratio of the image size to the object size; positive for upright images and negative for inverted images.

Virtual Image

An image formed by diverging rays, where light does not actually converge; appears to be located behind the lens.

Real Image

An image formed by converging rays, where light actually converges on the opposite side of the lens.

Focal Length (f)

The distance from the lens to the focal point; positive for converging lenses and negative for diverging lenses.

Thin Lens Equation

1/f = 1/p + 1/q, relates focal length (f), object distance (p), and image distance (q).