Light and Optics

Flashcards covering key vocabulary related to light, reflection, refraction, lenses, and color.

Light

Light travels in straight lines from a source and as transverse waves.

Transparent Materials

Materials that allow light to pass straight through.

Opaque Surfaces

Surfaces that can absorb or reflect light.

White Surfaces

Surfaces that reflect most of the light that hits them.

Black Surfaces

Surfaces that absorb light very well and reflect very little.

Diffuse Reflection

Light rays are scattered by rough surfaces, preventing a clear image.

Specular Reflection

Mirrors and shiny materials reflect light evenly, creating an image.

Law of Reflection

The angle of incidence is equal to the angle of reflection.

Refraction

When light hits something transparent, it changes speed and direction.

Lenses

Curved pieces of glass or transparent plastic that refract light.

Converging Lenses

Lenses that make rays of light come together.

Focal Point

The point where parallel rays of light are brought together by a lens.

Rod Cells

Detect faint light but not colors.

Cone Cells

Detect the primary colors of red, blue, and green.

Dispersion

The splitting of white light into a spectrum of colors.