B-2 Physics Topic 2.4 Optics Quiz

The bending of light as it passes from one medium to another, causing it to change direction.

The measure of a material's ability to refract light. A higher refractive index means the light bends more.

The bouncing back of light waves off a surface.

The angle at which light strikes a surface.

The angle at which light bounces off a surface.

States that the angle of incidence equals the angle of reflection.

The phenomenon where light is split into its different colors based on their wavelengths.

The process of filtering out light waves that vibrate in a specific plane.

Electromagnetic radiation (EMR) is energy produced by accelerating electrical charges, creating electric and magnetic fields that travel as waves.

The speed of light in a vacuum is approximately 299,792,458 meters per second (m/s), which is close to 300,000 kilometers per second (km/s).

The electromagnetic spectrum encompasses all types of EMR, categorized by their wavelength and frequency. These include gamma rays, x-rays, ultraviolet light, visible light, infrared light, microwaves, and radio waves.

Visible light is the portion of the electromagnetic spectrum that humans can see, with wavelengths ranging from approximately 380 to 750 nanometers.

The quantum theory suggests light has both wave-like and particle-like properties, meaning it acts as a wave in some situations and as a particle (photon) in others.

Evidence supporting the particle nature of light includes its ability to be affected by gravity (like bending around planets), exert force (like pushing on comet tails), and generate photoelectric effect.

Reflection occurs when light bounces off a surface, with the angle of incidence being equal to the angle of reflection.

Refraction occurs when light passes from one medium to another, changing its direction due to the difference in the speed of light in each medium.

The angle at which incident light is reflected back into the original medium, instead of being refracted.

The phenomenon where all light entering a medium at or above the critical angle is reflected internally.

The property of a material that determines how much light is refracted when passing through it.

Light waves vibrating in a single plane. This is achieved by passing light through a polarizing filter, which only allows waves vibrating in one direction to pass through.

Light waves vibrating in multiple planes. This is the natural form of light, like sunlight.

A mirror with a flat reflective surface, producing an upright and virtual image.

A mirror with a curved reflective surface that is curved inwards, converging incoming light rays and producing a real or virtual image depending on the position of the object.

A mirror with a curved reflective surface that is curved outwards, diverging incoming light rays. It always produces a virtual and upright image.

The distance from a curved mirror’s surface to the point where parallel incoming light rays converge after reflection.

A type of curved mirror where the reflective surface forms part of a sphere.

An image that can be projected onto a screen and is formed by the actual convergence of light rays.

An image formed when light rays appear to converge from it, but actually don't. It cannot be projected onto a screen.

A lens that causes light rays to converge to a focal point.

A lens that causes parallel light rays to diverge, creating a virtual image.

The distance from a lens to the point where parallel light rays converge.

The ability of a lens to bend light, determined by material and shape.

A lens that can magnify objects, but the image produced is inverted.

A convex lens that doesn't focus light at a single point, causing a blurred image.

A condition where the human eye cannot focus images properly on the retina, resulting in blurry vision.

A thin, flexible, glass cable used to transmit light signals over long distances.

The process of sending information using light pulses through optical fibres.

A type of light that is focused by lenses.

The amount of light absorbed by a material. A material with low absorption lets more light pass through.

The ability of optical fibres to carry multiple signals simultaneously using different colored laser light.