Lesson 2: Reflection and Mirrors

Flashcards covering key concepts related to reflection and mirrors, including definitions and characteristics.

Reflection

The property of light that occurs when light bounces back as it hits a surface.

Law of Reflection

States that the angle of reflection is equal to the angle of incidence.

Mirror

A reflective surface that bounces light off, producing an image.

Plane Mirror

A smooth, flat surface that produces a virtual image of a real object.

Concave Mirror

A mirror that is recessed inward and can produce enlarged images when close up.

Convex Mirror

A mirror that bulges outward and produces virtual images that are upright and diminished.

Virtual Image

An image formed where light does not actually reach, typically behind the reflective surface.

Real Image

An image formed where light rays actually converge, typically in front of the reflective surface.

Specular Reflection

Reflection from a smooth surface where light rays are reflected in a single direction.

Diffuse Reflection

Reflection from a rough surface where light rays scatter in multiple directions.

Focal Point

The point at which light rays meet after reflecting from a concave mirror.

Angle of Incidence

The angle formed by the incident ray and the normal line at the point of reflection.

Magnification

The ratio of the size of the image to the size of the object.

Center of Curvature

The center of the sphere from which a spherical mirror is derived.

Principal Axis

A straight line that passes through the center of curvature and the vertex of the mirror.

Focal Length

The distance from the mirror's surface to the focal point.

Image Characteristics

Descriptors used to explain images formed by mirrors, including location, size, orientation, and type.