Foundations of
Physics
Unit 6, Chapter
Chapter 17 Objectives
1. Describe the functions of convex and concave
lenses, a prism, and a flat mirror.
2. Describe how light rays form an image.
3. Calculate the angles of reflection and
refraction for a single light ray.
4. Draw the ray diagram for a lens and a mirror
showing the object and image.
5. Explain how a fiber-optic circuit acts like a
pipe for light.
6. Describe the difference between a real image
and a virtual image and give an example of
each.
lens
mirror
prism
optics
geometric
optics
specular
reflection
diffuse
converging
diverging
law of reflection
normal line
ray diagram
magnification
object
index of
refraction
focal point
focal length
optical axis
light ray
magnification
critical angle
Snells law
real image
virtual image
chromatic
aberration
refraction
fiber optics
dispersion
magnifying
glass
spherical
aberration
reflection
diffraction
telescope
focus
total internal
reflection
resolution
pixel image
focal plane
thin lens
formula
17.1 Reflection
Images appear in mirrors
because of how light is
reflected by mirrors.
The incident ray follows the
light falling onto the mirror.
The reflected ray follows
the light bouncing off the
mirror.
17.1 Reflection
In specular reflection each incident ray
bounces off in a single direction.
A surface that is not shiny creates diffuse
reflection.
In diffuse reflection, a single ray of light
scatters into many directions.
Law of Reflection
The incident
ray strikes the
mirror.
The angle of
incidence
equals the
angle of
reflection.
The reflected
ray bounces
off.
30o
30o
17.1 Refraction
Light rays may bend as
they cross a boundary
from one material to
another, like from air to
water.
This bending of light rays
is known as refraction.
The light rays from the
straw are refracted (or
bent) when they cross
from water back into air
before reaching your
eyes.
17.1 Refraction
When a ray of light crosses from one material to another,
the amount it bends depends on the difference in index
of refraction between the two materials.
Angle of incidence
(degrees)
Index of
refraction of
incident
material
Angle of refraction
(degrees)
ni sin i= nr sin
r
Index of
refraction of
refractive
material
Object
distance
(cm)
1 +1 =
1
do
di
df
Image distance
(cm)
focal
length (cm)