PCS20 : Unit 1 - Section 2 - Wave Reflection

Describe : Mechanical Reflection

Reflection that needs a medium to travel through (e.g. water, earthquake).

Describe : Electromagnetic Reflection

Reflection that can occur in a vacuum without a medium (e.g. light, radio waves)

What are electromagnetic waves carried by?

Photons.

Define : Light

Light is a type of electromagnetic wave that is visible to the human eye. Light is made up of photons, but has properties of waves and particles.

Define : Diffuse Reflection

Light reflecting off of a rough surface, rays will reflect in many directions.

Define : Specular Reflection

Light reflected off of a smooth surface, parallel rays will reflect in a mirror like manner.

Define : Rectilinear Propagation

When light travels in a straight line through a homogeneous medium.

Define : Ray

Path taken by light energy (photons) represented with an arrow.

Define : Beam

A collection of rays.

What are the S.A.L.T. image characteristics?

S - Size (Is the image bigger, smaller, or the same size as the object?)

A - Attitude (Is the image upright or inverted?)

L - Location (Where is the image relative to major locations?)

T - Type (Is the image real or virtual?)

Define : Converging (Concave) Mirror

Mirror that curves inward (silvered inside sphere).

Define : Diverging (Convex) mirror.

Mirrors that protrude (silvered outside sphere)

Define : Centre of Curvature

Imaginary centre of sphere, if mirror would fully curve around.

Define : Radius of Curvature

The length from the centre of curvature to the mirror (vertex).

Define : Vertex

Where the principle axis meets the mirror.

Define : Focus

The focus is halfway between the centre of curvature and the mirror (vertex).

Define : Focal length

Length from the focus to the mirror (vertex).