Refraction
What is Refraction?
Refraction is the bending of light when it passes from one medium to another!
Do light rays bend in air? Why or why not?
No, light rays do not bend because they move through the same medium — like air or vacuum at a constant speed.
What was the example shown of absorbtion?
The example was glasses! This is because the material of the lens naturally absorbs a bit of light as it passes through.
What is a lens?
A lens is a curved transparent object that bends light in specific ways.
Who proposed the idea that light is made of tiny particles traveling in straight lines? (particle model of light)
Isaac Newton, this explained reflection and how light passes through prisms!
What are light rays?
Light rays are the paths that light travels through.
What is transmission?
Transmission is when light passes through a surface.
What do lenses do?
Lenses make objects seem brighter, clearer, bigger, smaller, closer, or farther away all by bending light!
Who introduced the wave model of light? (The idea of refraction and reflection)
Christiaan Huygens!
Why does light bend in substances like glass?
In substances such as glass, light bends because it travels slower than in air.
What is a real life example of how light rays don't bend?
An example of this is when light travels from the sun straight down, it does not bend or curve. (Shadows are proof that light rays do not bend.)
What is an example of reflection not shown in the presentation?
(Answers vary)
True or false: Light needs a medium to travel.
FALSE! Light is made of electric and magnetic fields that move together through space, so these fields don’t need air, water, or any other material to travel!
What was an example of refraction shown?
Possible answers: Pencil in water, light through glass, fish in water, or pyrex in oil!
How do camera lenses make objects appear larger?
The multiple lenses in cameras work together to make small objects appear larger.