Waves
What are the two types of Waves?
Mechanical and Electromagnetic Waves
What are electromagnetic waves?
waves consist of electric and magnetic fields oscillating perpendicular to each other and to the direction of wave propagation
What is reflection?
change in direction of wave when it bounces off a surface.
What is a mirror?
a smooth surface that reflects light, typically made of glass or metal
What is the relationship between the object distance, image distance, and the focal length of a mirror?
1/f=1/do+1/di
Refers to the the distance from the equilibrium rest to the highest point or lowest point of a wave.
Amplitude
What is the speed of electromagnetic waves in a vacuum?
3 x 108 m/s
What are the two types of reflection?
diffuse and regular reflection
What are the two main types of mirror?
a. plane mirror
b. curved mirrors
What is the sign convention for distances in the mirror equation?
If di is positive the image formed is real and in front of the mirror
If di is negative the image formed is virtual and behind the mirror
What is the relationship between the wavelength, frequency, and wave speed of a wave?
v= fλ
What are the different types of electromagnetic waves in the EM spectrum from longest to shortest wavelength?
a. Radio waves
b. Microwaves
c. Infrared (IR) radiation
d. Visible Light
e. UV radiation
f. X-rays
g. Gamma rays
What is the law of reflection?
states that the angle of incidence is equal to the angle of reflection
What is the difference between real and virtual images?
Real images are always inverted and can be projected onto a screen while virtual images are upright and cannot be projected onto a screen.
If the object is placed at the focal point of a concave mirror, describe the image formed?
No image formed
What does the term "wavelength" refer to in a wave?
distance between two consecutive crests or troughs of a wave
What is the only EM wave in the EM spectrum that is visible in the unaided eye?
Visible Light
What is the difference between regular and diffuse reflection?
regular occurs on smooth surfaces like mirrors while diffuse happens on rough surfaces
What is the principal axis of a mirror?
straight line that passes through the center of curvature and the focal point of the mirror
If the magnification of an image is -2, what does this tell us about the image?
Image is inverted and enlarged
What is the difference between a crest and trough in a wave?
crest is the highest point and trough is the lowest point
Can electromagnetic waves travel through a vacuum? Why?
Yes, they do not rely on a medium to propagate.
How do mirrors form images?
by reflecting light that strikes them
What are the applications of concave mirrors?
Telescopes, Flashlights and headlights, Makeup mirrors, satellite dish, answer may vary...
How can the magnification of an image be calculated for a mirror?