light Flashcards
(12 cards)
What is an electromagnetic wave?
A transverse wave traveling through electric and magnetic fields instead of through a physical medium
Electromagnetic waves are created by moving or vibrating charges, such as energized electrons.
What is light?
A transverse electromagnetic wave within a certain range of frequencies and wavelengths that our eyes have evolved to detect
Light is a specific type of electromagnetic wave.
What is color?
Different materials absorb certain frequencies of light; the frequencies that are left to reflect or pass through are seen as different colors
Our eyes use 3 cones to detect these different frequencies.
When do converging lenses create magnified images?
When the object is closer than 2f, or the center of curvature
Converging lenses can also create smaller images when the object is farther than 2f.
When do converging lenses create real images?
When the object is farther than f
Converging lenses create virtual images when the object is closer than f.
When do diverging lenses create virtual images?
Diverging lenses always create virtual images, and they are always smaller
Diverging lenses do not create real images.
What is the law of reflection?
The angle of incidence of a ray equals the angle of reflection
This law applies to all types of reflective surfaces.
What is light refraction?
When light passes through a boundary between mediums and changes direction
This phenomenon occurs due to the change in speed of light in different mediums.
What is the electromagnetic spectrum?
The wide range of electromagnetic wave frequencies including radio, microwaves, infrared, light, ultraviolet, x-rays, gamma rays and others
The electromagnetic spectrum encompasses all types of electromagnetic radiation.
What is a lens?
A shaped transparent material designed to bend light in a specific way, usually to diverge or converge
Lenses are commonly used in glasses, cameras, and microscopes.
What is a real image?
An image created when light rays intersect - can be projected onto a surface
Real images are typically inverted.
What is a virtual image?
An image that can only be seen by looking into the mirror or lens creating it - can’t be projected
Virtual images are typically upright.
