Physics: Light and Optics Review

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts related to light and optics, crucial for understanding topics such as refraction, dispersion, and light behavior in different media.

Fata Morgana

A complex form of superior mirage consisting of a series of stacked images, often seen over the distant horizon.

Index of Refraction (n)

A dimensionless number that describes how fast light travels in a medium compared to a vacuum.

Snell’s Law

n₁ sin(θ₁) = n₂ sin(θ₂), describes the relationship between the angles of incidence and refraction when light passes between two media.

Critical Angle (θc)

The angle of incidence above which total internal reflection occurs, calculated using θc = sin⁻¹(n₂/n₁).

Dispersion

The process of separating light into its component colors due to different refractive indices for different wavelengths.

Total Internal Reflection

The phenomenon that occurs when a light ray hits a boundary at an angle greater than the critical angle and is completely reflected back into the medium.

Mirage

An optical phenomenon caused by atmospheric refraction, typically observed in hot conditions, where light rays bend and create the illusion of water or an inverted image.

Energy of a Photon (E)

Calculated using E = hf, where h is Planck's constant (6.63 x 10⁻³⁴ Js) and f is the frequency of light.

Wavelength (λ)

The distance between successive crests of a wave, related to the speed of light (c) and frequency (f) by the equation v = λf.

Refraction

The bending of light as it passes from one medium to another due to a change in its speed.