Light and Geometric Optics Flashcards

Flashcards of key vocabulary related to light and geometric optics.

Luminous

Produces its own light.

Non-luminous

Does not produce its own light.

Incandescence (type of light emmision)

The production of light as a result of high temperature.

Electric discharge (type of light emmision)

The process of producing light by passing an electric current through a gas.

Phosphorescence (type of light emmision)

The process of producing light by the absorption of ultraviolet light resulting in the emission of visible light over an extended period of time.

Fluorescence (type of light emmision)

The immediate emission of visible light as a result of the absorption of ultraviolet light.

Chemiluminescence (type of light emmision)

The direct production of light as the result of a chemical reaction with little or no heat produced.

Bioluminescence (type of light emmision)

The production of light in living organisms as the result of a chemical reaction with little or no heat produced.

Triboluminescence (type of light emmision)

The production of light from friction as a result of scratching, crushing, or rubbing certain crystals.

Light-emitting diode (LED) (type of light emmision under Electrical Discharge)

Light produced as a result of an electric current flowing in semiconductors.

Semiconductor

A material that allows an electric current to flow in only one direction.

Electromagnetic spectrum

The classification of electromagnetic waves by energy.

Visible spectrum and it’s range

The continuous sequence of colors that make up white light. (λ ≈ 700 - 420 nm)

Electromagnetic waves that the human eye can detect.

Medium

Any physical substance through which energy can be transferred.

Radiation

A method of energy transfer that does not require a medium; the energy travels at the speed of light.

Electromagnetic wave

A wave that has both electric and magnetic parts, does not require a medium, and travels at the speed of light.

Light ray

A line on a diagram representing the direction and path that light is travelling.

Geometric optics

The use of light rays to determine how light behaves when it strikes objects.

Transparent

When a material transmits all or almost all incident light; objects can be clearly seen through the material.

Translucent

When a material transmits some incident light but absorbs or reflects the rest; objects are not clearly seen through the material.

Opaque

When a material does not transmit any incident light; all incident light is either absorbed or reflected; objects behind the material cannot be seen at all.

Image

Reproduction of an object through the use of light.

Mirror

Any polished surface reflecting an image.

Angle of incidence

The angle between the incident ray and the normal.

Angle of reflection

The angle between the reflected ray and the normal.

Specular reflection

Reflection of light off a smooth surface.

Diffuse reflection

Reflection of light off an irregular or dull surface.

Virtual image

An image formed by light coming from an apparent light source; light is not arriving at or coming from the actual image location.

Speed of light formula

Light wave and what it’s defined by

Wavelength

Frequency

Amplitude

electromagnetic specturm + types of radiation in order (low λ to hight)

Gamma

x-ray

UV

visible light

infared

microwave

FM AM radio waves

long radio waves

the different waves

diagram for reflection (JUST LABLES)

The Law of Reflection

Angle of incidence = Angle of reflection

diffuse va regular reflection

How to describe an image

SALT
Size: compared to the object

Attitude: orientation compared to object (upright, inverted)

Location: image distance (i.e. behind the mirror; same distance as object)

Type: real or virtual

types of total internal reflection