Questions and Answers
What is the fundamental principle that relates the angle of incidence to the angle of reflection?
The Law of Reflection
What is the difference between specular and diffuse reflection?
Specular reflection occurs on smooth surfaces, retaining the image, while diffuse reflection occurs on rough surfaces, scattering light.
What is the mathematical formula that relates the refractive indices of two media to the incident and refracted angles?
Snell's Law, which is given by n1 sin(θ1) = n2 sin(θ2)
What is the critical angle, and what phenomenon occurs when light hits a surface at an angle greater than this?
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What is the refractive index of water, and how does it compare to that of air?
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What is the application of total internal reflection in optical fibers?
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Study Notes
Light
Reflection
- Law of Reflection: The angle of incidence is equal to the angle of reflection.
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Types of Reflection:
- Specular Reflection: Mirrors, smooth surfaces (retains image)
- Diffuse Reflection: Rough surfaces (scatters light)
- Reflection Coefficient: Ratio of reflected light intensity to incident light intensity
Refraction
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Snell's Law: Relates incident and refracted angles to the refractive indices of two media
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n1 sin(θ1) = n2 sin(θ2)
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Refractive Indices: Measure of how much a medium bends light
- Air: Approximately 1.00
- Water: Approximately 1.33
- Glass: Varies depending on type
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Total Internal Reflection: Occurs when light hits a surface at an angle greater than the critical angle
- Critical Angle: Angle beyond which total internal reflection occurs
Applications
- Mirrors: Use reflection to produce images
- Lenses: Use refraction to focus or diverge light
- Optical Fibers: Use total internal reflection to transmit data as light signals
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