Physics Light
Physics Light
● Regular reflection - light reflected from a light reflected from a smooth surface (mirror)
● Diffused reflection - light reflected from a rough or uneven surface (paper)
● Absorption - light absorbed by black surfaces
● Luminous - sun, lamps, lasers, TV ( send out their own light)
● Non-luminous - you see them only in daylight because light bounces off
Features of Light
● Light is a form of radiation ( erase represent where the light is going)
● Light travels in straight lines eg light coming from sun, torches, laser
● Light transfers energy eg solar panels convert light energy into electricity
● Light travels as waves. However, the wavelength of light is so small that it appears to be
moving in a straight line
● Light can travel through an empty space eg vacuum
● Light is the fastest thing there is (3 x 10^8 m/s)
The light striking the mirror is called an incident ray and the line reflected from a mirror is called
a reflected light ray.
Law of Reflection
● The angle of incidence is equal to the angle of reflection
● The angle of instance, normal, angle of reflection, all a lie in the same plane
Rules for Image Size and Position
● The image formed by a plane mirror are virtual images
● Virtual image - an image that is formed by a mirror and the light rays appears to be
coming from behind the mirror
● Real image - an image formed on the screen eg in the cinema, projector - projects the
image on the screen
● An image formed by a plane mirror is laterally inverted
● Image formed by a mirror is always at the same distance behind the mirror as an object
is in front of the mirror
● The height/size of the image formed the same as the object
Refraction of Light
● It’s the bonding of light when it travels from one medium to another.
● Refraction occurs due to the change in speed of light.
● Laws of refraction
1. The incident light is always coming to the normal & gets reflected
2. Reflected light is bent away from the normal
3. Angle of reflection depends on the medium