Understanding Light and Optics Principles

Optics

Study of light behavior in the physical world.

Light Energy

Form of energy transmitted through radiation.

Wave

Disturbance transferring energy without matter.

Crest

Highest point of a wave.

Trough

Lowest point of a wave.

Wavelength

Distance between identical points on consecutive waves.

Frequency

Number of waves passing a point per second.

Electromagnetic Spectrum

Range of electromagnetic radiation by wavelength.

Visible Light

Light perceived by the human eye.

Rainbow Formation

Sunlight refracted and reflected in raindrops.

Incandescent Light

Light emitted from heated materials.

Luminescence

Light emission without heat.

Ray Model of Light

Representation of light as straight lines.

Transmitted Light

Light passing through a substance.

Reflected Light

Light bouncing off an object.

Absorbed Light

Light converted to heat by an object.

Transparent

Material allowing all light to pass through.

Translucent

Material allowing some light to pass through.

Opaque

Material allowing no light to pass through.

Angle of Incidence

Angle between incident ray and normal.

Angle of Reflection

Angle between reflected ray and normal.

Law of Reflection

Angle of incidence equals angle of reflection.

Plane Mirror

Mirror with a flat reflective surface.

Virtual Image

Image formed by rays not passing through it.

Curved Mirror

Mirror with a curved reflective surface.

Focal Point

Point where light rays converge.

Principal Axis

Imaginary line through the vortex of a mirror.

Magnification

Ratio of image height to object height.

Refraction

Bending of light when entering a different medium.

Normal Line

Imaginary line perpendicular to the surface interface.