Reflection and Refraction of Light

Reflection of Light

The bouncing of light as it hits a surface.

Law of Reflection

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

Refraction of Light

The bending of light as it passes from one medium to another.

Index of Refraction

A measure of how much the speed of light is reduced in a medium compared to vacuum.

Corpuscular Theory of Light

Proposed by Sir Isaac Newton, this theory suggests light consists of tiny particles called corpuscles.

Wave Theory of Light

Proposed by Christian Huygens, this theory claims that light is a series of waves traveling at different speeds in different media.

Electromagnetic Theory of Light

Proposed by James Clark Maxwell, this theory describes light as an electromagnetic wave.

Quantum Theory of Light

Proposed by Max Planck, this theory states that light travels as packets of energy called quanta or photons.

Specular Reflection

Reflection that occurs when light hits a very smooth surface like a mirror.

Diffuse Reflection

Reflection that occurs when light hits a rough surface, scattering in different directions.

Absorption

The transfer of energy carried by light waves to the particles of matter, causing them to vibrate.

Dispersion

The separation of light into colors when it passes through a prism.

Mirage

An optical illusion created by the refraction of light rays due to temperature differences in air.

Total Internal Reflection

Occurs when the angle of incidence is greater than the critical angle, causing all light to be reflected.

Critical Angle

The angle of incidence above which total internal reflection occurs.