What is the effect of light entering a medium with a higher index of refraction?
The light slows down and bends towards the normal.
What is the effect of light entering a medium with a lower index of refraction?
The light speeds up and bends away from the normal.
What happens when the angle of incidence exceeds the critical angle?
Total internal reflection occurs; the light is completely reflected back into the original medium.
What is the effect of a rough surface on reflection?
Diffuse reflection occurs, scattering light in many directions.
What is the effect of increasing the angle of incidence when light travels from a higher to a lower index of refraction?
The angle of refraction increases until it reaches 90 degrees (critical angle), beyond which total internal reflection occurs.
Label the following diagram of Reflection Angles.
1: Incident Ray, 2: Reflected Ray, 3: Normal Line, 4: Angle of Incidence (ฮธi), 5: Angle of Reflection (ฮธr)
Label the following diagram of Refraction.
1: Incident Ray, 2: Refracted Ray, 3: Normal Line, 4: Angle of Incidence (ฮธโ), 5: Angle of Refraction (ฮธโ)
Label the following diagram illustrating the Critical Angle.
1: Incident Ray, 2: Refracted Ray (at 90 degrees), 3: Reflected Ray (Total Internal Reflection), 4: Critical Angle (ฮธc)
What are the differences between Specular and Diffuse Reflection?
Specular Reflection: Occurs on smooth surfaces, preserves the image, orderly reflection. Diffuse Reflection: Occurs on rough surfaces, scatters light in many directions, no clear image.
What are the differences between Reflection and Refraction?
Reflection: Light bounces off a surface. Refraction: Light bends as it passes through a medium.
How do Refraction and Total Internal Reflection differ?
Refraction: Light bends and passes through a medium. Total Internal Reflection: Light is completely reflected within the original medium.
What is the difference between the angle of incidence and the angle of refraction?
Angle of Incidence: The angle between the incident ray and the normal line. Angle of Refraction: The angle between the refracted ray and the normal line.
Compare and contrast the behavior of light when nโ > nโ versus nโ < nโ during refraction.
nโ > nโ: Light bends towards the normal, speed decreases. nโ < nโ: Light bends away from the normal, speed increases.
