Light

Wave Properties of Light

Reflection
Refraction
Diffraction
Interference

Reflection
Reflection
when a wave strikes an object
and bounces off

Reflection
Normal
reflected ray
incident ray

Surface

Reflection

Reflection
Normal
reflected ray
incident ray

Surface

Reflection
Normal-line perpendicular to the
reflecting surface.
Incident ray/incoming ray-the ray
that hits the barrier/surface.
Angle of incidence-angle formed
by the incident ray with the
normal.

Reflection
Angle of reflection-angle formed
by the reflected ray with the
normal.

Reflection
Normal
reflected ray
incident ray

Surface

Reflection
Law of Reflection
the angle of incidence
equals the angle of reflection
The incident ray, reflected
ray and the normal lie on the
same plane

Refraction
Fiber Optics
Total Internal Reflection
when all light is
reflected back into the
denser medium

Refraction
Refraction
bending of waves when passing
from one medium to another

Refraction
Refraction
caused by a change in speed
slower (more dense) refracted
ray bends toward the normal
faster (less dense) refracted
ray bends away from the normal

Refraction
SLOWER

Refraction
FASTER

Refraction
Rainbows
refraction-reflection-refraction

Diffraction
Diffraction
bending of waves around a
barrier
depends on the wavelength and
size of the opening barrier.

Diffraction
Diffraction Gratings
glass or plastic made up of
many tiny parallel slits
may also be reflective
spectroscopes, reflective
rainbow stickers, CD surfaces

Interference
When two waves meets, they
have an effect with each other.
constructive when the crest
of one wave meet the crest of
the other one

Interference
destructive when the crest of
one wave meet the trough of the
other wave

Interference
constructive brighter light
destructive dimmer light

Interference
Thin Films - Bubbles & Oil
Slicks
interference results from
double reflection