SCI10-Image Formation and Ray Diagrams (2)

Light behaves as a wave, and its properties are fundamental in understanding optics.
The study of mirrors and lenses helps illuminate the properties and behavior of visible light.

Images are created when light hits reflecting surfaces like mirrors and refracting lenses.

Definition: The bouncing of light rays upon striking a surface.
Types:
- Regular/Specular Reflection: Occurs on smooth surfaces, producing clear images.
- Irregular/Diffuse Reflection: Happens on rough surfaces, resulting in scattered light.

Virtual Image: Formed when light rays appear to diverge from a point; seen as upright.
Real Image: Formed when light rays actually converge; images appear inverted.

Plane Mirrors: Flat surface mirror reflecting light.
- Law of Plane Mirrors: Distance of image behind the mirror equals distance of the object in front.
- Image characteristics: Virtual, upright, left-right reversed.
Spherical Mirrors: Curved mirrors which can be concave or convex.
- Concave Mirror: Curves inward, converges light.
- Convex Mirror: Curves outward, diverges light.

Center of Curvature (C): Center of the sphere from which the mirror represents a small arc.
Focus (F): Point where parallel light rays converge.
Vertex (V): the point where the mirror crosses the principal axis
Principal Axis: the line drawn through the vertex, focus and the center of curvature of the mirror upon which the object rests
Focal Length (f): the distance from the focus to the vertex of the mirror
Radius of Curvature (R): The distance from the center of curvature to the vertex of the mirror

A Ray Diagram traces the path that the light ta

kes in order for an individual to view a point on the image of an object.

Refraction is the change in the direction of light when it passes from one medium to another of different optical density