Nature of Light
Light travels in straight lines in a uniform medium. This is called this property.
rectilinear propagation
The angle of incidence equals this angle.
angle of reflection
Light bends toward the normal when entering this type of medium.
a more optically dense medium
This point is where parallel rays meet after reflection in a concave mirror.
the focal point.
This device uses a convex lens to magnify small objects.
a magnifying glass
Light that is both reflected and transmitted is called this type of surface interaction.
partial reflection
This type of mirror forms upright, smaller images and is commonly used in cars.
convex mirror
This lens converges light rays to a focal point.
a convex lens
Draw the path of a ray parallel to the principal axis in a concave mirror.
it reflects through the focal point
Correct this statement: “A virtual image can be projected onto a screen.”
virtual images cannot be projected because they do not form where light converges
Explain why you see lightning before you hear thunder.
because light travels faster than sound.
Explain why the image in a plane mirror is laterally inverted.
because light rays appear reversed when reflected.
Explain why a straw looks bent in a glass of water.
due to refraction of light at the boundary of air and water
Explain why concave mirrors can produce both real and virtual images.
because image formation depends on object position relative to focal point
Explain why glasses for nearsightedness use concave lenses.
because they diverge light so the image forms on the retina
A beam of light enters a new medium and changes direction. This process is called this.
refraction
If the angle of incidence increases by 10°, what happens to the angle of reflection?
it also increases by 10°
A convex lens forms a real image. Describe the image characteristics.
inverted and can be projected onto a screen
A concave mirror forms an image smaller than the object. Where is the object located?
beyond the center of curvature
A student sees an image that is upside down and smaller than the object. Identify the optical device.
a convex lens (camera or eye model)
A student claims light is a particle because it travels in straight lines. Explain why this is incomplete.
light also behaves like a wave (wave-particle duality)
A ray hits a mirror at 30° to the normal. A student measures 60° reflection. Explain the error.
the student measured from the surface instead of the normal.
An object is placed inside the focal length of a convex lens. Describe the image formed.
virtual, upright, and enlarged
A ray diagram is drawn incorrectly but still gives a real image. Explain why this can still happen.
because ray rules are consistent even if scaled differently
A ray enters water from air and bends toward the normal. Explain what happens to speed and wavelength.
speed and wavelength decrease while frequency stays constant