Exploring Light Waves and Optics

What is the law of reflection?

• The angle of incidence equals the angle of reflection.

• The angle of incidence and reflection are unrelated.

• The angle of reflection is always zero degrees.

• The angle of incidence is always greater than the angle of reflection.

Define refraction and give an example.

• A rainbow appearing in the sky after rain.

• A pencil appearing shorter when placed in a box.

• An example of refraction is a straw appearing bent when placed in a glass of water.

• A mirror reflecting an image clearly.

What is the difference between a concave and a convex mirror?

• Concave mirrors diverge light rays; convex mirrors converge light rays.

• Both concave and convex mirrors converge light rays.

• Concave mirrors reflect light evenly; convex mirrors absorb light.

• Concave mirrors converge light rays; convex mirrors diverge light rays.

How does the angle of incidence relate to the angle of reflection?

• The angle of incidence equals the angle of reflection.

• The angle of incidence and reflection are unrelated.

• The angle of incidence is always greater than the angle of reflection.

• The angle of incidence is half of the angle of reflection.

What is total internal reflection?

• A wave is absorbed when it hits a boundary with a less dense medium.

• Total internal reflection is the phenomenon where a wave is completely reflected within a medium when it hits the boundary with a less dense medium at an angle greater than the critical angle.

• Total internal reflection occurs only in gases.

• It is the bending of light as it passes from one medium to another.

Explain how a lens focuses light.

• A lens scatters light in all directions.

• A lens reflects light away from its surface.

• A lens focuses light by bending (refracting) it to converge at a focal point.

• A lens absorbs light and prevents it from passing through.

What is the focal length of a lens?

• The focal length of a lens is the distance from the lens to its focal point.

• The focal length is the thickness of the lens.

• The focal length is the distance from the lens to the object.

• The focal length is the diameter of the lens.

Describe the difference between real and virtual images.

• Real images are formed by mirrors; virtual images are formed by lenses.

• Real images are always blurry; virtual images are always clear.

• Virtual images can be projected; real images cannot.

• Real images can be projected; virtual images cannot.

What is the critical angle in optics?

• The critical angle is always 90 degrees.

• The critical angle is calculated using the formula θc = n1/n2.

• The critical angle is the angle of incidence at which light is completely absorbed.

• The critical angle is given by the formula θc = arcsin(n2/n1), where n1 is the refractive index of the denser medium and n2 is the refractive index of the less dense medium.

How do prisms affect the path of light?

• Prisms bend and disperse light by refracting it as it passes through different mediums.

• Prisms create shadows by blocking light entirely.

• Prisms absorb light completely, preventing it from passing through.

• Prisms only reflect light without changing its path.