optics Flashcards
(121 cards)
electromagnetic waves
waves that do not need a medium to travel in
how are electromagnetic waves created
by an oscillating electric and magnetic fields
what are all forms of electromagnetic waves characterized by
their range of frequencies and wavelengths
when light changes mediums, what else changes?
its speed and direction
refraction
the idea that the more the difference in speed, the greater the light bends when it changes mediums
illuminance
the intensity of light falling onto a surface. measured in lux
illuminance equation
E=θv / 4 πr^2 (θv is the luminous flux which is given en in lumens)
polarized light
light where the EM wave only vibrates in one direction. Light will be polarized in the direction of the electric field
what happens when unpolarized light passes through a polarizer?
the final intensity of the light will be one half of the initial intensity of the light wave
what direction is a beam of light polarized in?
the direction of the polarizers transmission axis
law of malus
If =Iicos^2θ
l= intensity
reflection
when a wave hits a surface or a boundary and bounces off in a different direction
when will waves be reflected
anytime they encounter a boundary between two mediums
wave front
the surface over which the phase of a wave is constant. given that all particles of the medium are undergoing the same motion
sperical wave front
where waves move outward in three dimensions with rays that point radically outward
plane wave front
where the waves move outward in one direction with the rays pointing in that same direction
what angle will rays be at to wave fronts
right angles
normal line
the line that is perpendicular to the surface is placed so that its located where the ray that enters the mirror travels
incident ray
the ray that hits the mirror then is reflected by the mirror at the location of the normal line
angle of incidence
the angle between the incident ray and the normal
angle of reflection
the angle between the mirror and the reflected ray
law of reflection
when light is reflected off a surface the angle of incidence equals the angle of reflection
specular reflection
when a beam of light is reflected from a smooth surface
diffuse reflection
when a beam of light is reflected off a rough surface