Light Behavior: Reflection and Refraction

These flashcards cover key terms and concepts related to the behavior of light, particularly focusing on phenomena such as reflection, refraction, and total internal reflection.

Partial Reflection

The phenomenon where a surface reflects some light while allowing some to pass through.

Total Internal Reflection (TIR)

Occurs when light reflects completely within a denser medium rather than passing into a less dense medium.

Critical Angle

The specific angle of incidence that results in total internal reflection; beyond this angle, light is reflected rather than refracted.

Index of Refraction

A measure of how much light slows down in a medium compared to its speed in a vacuum; different materials have different indices.

Fibre Optic Cable

Thin strands of glass or plastic that transmit light signals through total internal reflection, allowing data to travel long distances.

Refraction

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

Rainbow Formation

Created when sunlight refracts through water droplets, splitting white light into its color spectrum.

Mirage

An optical illusion caused by refraction of light through layers of air at different temperatures.

Atmospheric Optical Phenomena

Natural optical effects in the atmosphere, such as halos, light pillars, and sundogs, caused by ice crystals or other factors.

Shimmering

Occurs when light refracts through layers of air with varying temperatures, causing curved light paths.