Optics and Light

Flashcards about optics, light, and electromagnetic spectrum.

Amplitude

Distance from rest position to crest or trough.

Period (T)

Time required to complete one full wave cycle.

Crest

The highest point of a wave.

Trough

The lowest point of a wave.

Wavelength (λ)

The distance between two successive crests or troughs in a wave.

Transparent

Material that transmits all or almost all incident light.

Translucent

Material that transmits some incident light, but absorbs or reflects the rest.

Opaque

Material that does not transmit any incident light.

Specular Reflection

Reflection off a smooth, shiny surface.

Diffuse Reflection

Reflection off an irregular or dull surface.

Photon

Small packet of light energy

Electromagnetic Wave

A wave that has both electric & magnetic parts, travels at the speed of light & doesn't require a medium.

Visible Light

Classification of electromagnetic waves by energy, that human eyes can see.

Visible Spectrum

Electromagnetic waves that the human eye can see.

Gamma Rays

Electromagnetic waves produced by nuclear processes.

X-Rays

Electromagnetic waves used to view bones.

Ultraviolet Rays

Electromagnetic waves that cause sunburns.

Infrared Light

Electromagnetic waves that produce heat.

Radio Waves

Electromagnetic waves used for cell phones.

Luminous

Produces its own light.

Non-Luminous

Reflects light.

Incandescent

Light as a result of high temperatures.

Eg) stove element, candle, incandescent bubls

Fluorescent

Immediate light, result of UV light absorption

Eg) detergents, highlighters, CFL lightbulbs

Phosphorescence

Low energy visible light given off slowly (phosphors absorb light).

Eg) glow in the dark

Chemiluminescence

Light as a result of a chemical reaction.

Eg) luminol (reacts with iron)

Bioluminescence

Chemiluminescence in a living organism.

Eg) fireflies, deep ocean species, algae

Triboluminescence

Light produced when crystals are crushed or rubbed together.

Eg) sugar cubes, quartz and other rocks

Electroluminescence (LED)

Light produced by electrical current flowing in one direction.

Eg) Christmas lights, headlights

Electrical Discharge

Light produced when electric current passes through gas, gas glows.

Eg) Argon, Neon, Krypton

V= or c=

V=fλ or c=fλ

Speed of light

3.00 × 10^8 m/s

What are the 2 laws of reflection?

1. The angle of incidence = the angle of reflection

2. The incident ray, normal, and reflected ray all lay in the same plane

Principal Axis (PA)

The line through the center of curvature to the midpoint of the mirror

Vertex

The point where the principal axis meets the mirror

Center of curvature

The center of the sphere that makes up the mirror

Focus

The point that light rays parallel to the PA coverage at when reflected off a concave mirror

Real image

Seen as a result of light rays actually arriving at a location

Virtual

Formed by light coming from an apparent source (light isn't directly coming from the actual image location)

4 rules for incident rays

1. Light rays parallel to the PA are reflected though the focus

2. Light rays though the center of curvature are reflected back on themselves

3. A ray through F will reflect parallel to the PA

4. Rays aimed at the vertex will follow the Law of Reflection