Physics - Reflection, Refraction, Dispersion Flashcards
(28 cards)
What is refraction?
Refraction is the bending of light as it passes from one medium to another.
True or False: Light travels faster in water than in air.
False
Fill in the blank: The change in direction of light when it enters a different medium is called __________.
refraction
What is the law of refraction also known as?
Snell’s Law
What happens to light when it passes from air into glass?
It slows down and bends towards the normal.
Which phenomenon explains why a straw appears bent in a glass of water?
Refraction
True or False: Reflection occurs when light bounces off a surface.
True
What is the angle of incidence?
The angle between the incident ray and the normal at the surface.
What is the angle of reflection?
The angle between the reflected ray and the normal at the surface.
Fill in the blank: The law of reflection states that the angle of incidence is equal to the angle of __________.
reflection
What is dispersion?
Dispersion is the separation of light into its component colors.
True or False: Dispersion occurs when light passes through a prism.
True
What colors are produced by the dispersion of white light?
Red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet.
What is the visible spectrum?
The range of colors that can be seen by the human eye.
Fill in the blank: A __________ is an optical device that uses refraction to separate light into different colors.
prism
What causes the bending of light in refraction?
The change in speed of light as it enters a different medium.
What is the critical angle?
The angle of incidence above which total internal reflection occurs.
What is the purpose of optical fibers?
To transmit light signals using total internal reflection.
Fill in the blank: __________ is the bending of light due to a change in speed as it enters a new medium.
Refraction
What happens to the speed of light when it enters a denser medium?
It decreases and bends towards the normal.
What is the normal line in the context of reflection and refraction?
A line perpendicular to the surface at the point of incidence.
What is the relationship between the angle of incidence and the angle of refraction in Snell’s Law?
They are related by the indices of refraction of the two media.
True or False: Light can be refracted in a vacuum.
False
What is the index of refraction?
A measure of how much a substance can bend light.
