Physics for Life Sciences II Lecture Notes

These flashcards cover key concepts from the lecture on wave and ray optics, including definitions and principles related to light behavior.

Wave Model

Considers light to be a wave propagating through space.

Huygens’ Principle

States that each point on a wave front is the source of a spherical wavelet.

Diffraction

The spreading of a wave after it passes through an opening.

Constructive Interference

Occurs when waves combine to make a wave with a larger amplitude.

Destructive Interference

Occurs when waves combine to make a wave with a smaller amplitude.

Central Maximum

The brightest part of the diffraction pattern, surrounded by weaker maxima.

Circular-Aperture Diffraction

Diffraction pattern generated when light waves pass through a circular opening.

Angle of Incidence

The angle between the incident ray and the normal to the surface.

Angle of Reflection

The angle between the reflected ray and the normal to the surface.

Law of Reflection

States that the angle of reflection equals the angle of incidence.

Self-Luminous Objects

Objects that create their own light rays, such as the sun or lightbulbs.

Reflective Objects

Objects that reflect light originating from self-luminous objects.

Virtual Image

The point from which reflected rays appear to diverge, but no rays actually converge there.

Diffuse Reflection

Reflection of light in many directions due to a rough surface.

Ray Diagram

A diagram that shows a few light rays to simplify the situation.

Extended Source

A light source that emits light from multiple points, such as a lightbulb.