Light Waves

Front

What is reflection in the context of light waves?

Back

Reflection is the bouncing of light waves off a surface.

Front

What is refraction?

Back

Refraction is the bending of light as it changes mediums.

Front

Define absorption in relation to light waves.

Back

Absorption is when energy of light is absorbed by an object, which can be selective.

Front

What is diffraction?

Back

Diffraction is the bending of light around an object.

Front

What is dispersion in the context of light?

Back

Dispersion is the separation of light into its component colors.

Front

What happens to light when it strikes a mirror?

Back

It reflects off the surface of the mirror.

Front

What is the law of reflection?

Back

The angle of incidence is equal to the angle of reflection.

Front

How does the speed of light change when it enters a different medium?

Back

The speed of light decreases when it enters a denser medium.

Front

What is the critical angle in optics?

Back

The critical angle is the angle of incidence above which total internal reflection occurs.

Front

What is total internal reflection?

Back

Total internal reflection is when light reflects completely within a medium, rather than refracting out.