Ray Model of Light
What is a light ray?
A representation of light showing the direction of where the light travels
This law states that the angle of incidence is always equal to the angle of reflection.
The first law of reflection
What is a virtual image?
A virtual image is an image formed by the apparent light source because no light rays are actually arriving at or coming from the image location
What does SALT stand for?
SALT stands for Size, Attitude, Location, and Type
According to the ray model of light how does light travel
In a straight line
This type of reflection happens on smooth, shiny surfaces and creates clear, predictable images.
Specular reflection
What is the incidence ray?
A light ray coming from a light source
Describe the attitude of a plane mirror image.
The image is upright compared to the object.
Why do scientists use the ray model of light instead of drawing light as waves?
Because the ray model simplifies the behaviour of light
This type of reflection occurs on rough surfaces, causing the rays to scatter in many directions.
Diffuse reflection
What is the reflected ray?
A ray that bounces off a surface
An object is 3 m in front of a plane mirror. Where is its image located?
The image is 3 m behind the mirror.
A ray hits a flat mirror. Using the ray model of light describes where the light will travel.
When the light hits the flat mirror it will reflect off the surface making reflected rays.
These three things must all lie in the same plane during reflection.
The incident ray, the reflected ray, and the normal
Why is the image formed by a plane mirror is virtual?
Virtual image is an image in which light does not actually arrive at or come from the image location.