Optics Science Olympiad Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What does the law of reflection state?

The angle of reflection is equal to the angle of incidence. (correct)

Light always refracts upon hitting a surface.

The incident ray and the reflected ray do not lie in the same plane.

The normal line to the surface of the mirror is irrelevant.

What is specular reflection?

Light reflected from a smooth surface at a definite angle.

What is diffuse reflection?

Reflection produced by rough surfaces that tend to reflect light in all directions.

What is refraction?

The phenomenon of light being deflected while passing through different media. Signup and view all the answers

What does refractive index mean?

A dimensionless number that describes how light propagates through a medium. Signup and view all the answers

What is Snell's Law?

A formula describing the relationship between the angles of incidence and refraction. Signup and view all the answers

What is the critical angle?

The angle of incidence for which the angle of refraction is 90°. Signup and view all the answers

What are prisms?

Solid glass optics ground and polished into geometric shapes. Signup and view all the answers

How does dispersion depend on the prism?

It depends on the geometry of the prism and its index dispersion curve. Signup and view all the answers

What is deviation in optics?

The change in the path of light due to passing through prisms. Signup and view all the answers

What is a convex lens?

A lens that is thicker in the middle and converges rays of light. Signup and view all the answers

What is a concave lens?

A lens that is thinner in the middle and diverges rays of light. Signup and view all the answers

What is a plain mirror?

A mirror with a flat reflective surface. Signup and view all the answers

What is focal length?

The distance between the center of a lens or mirror and its focus. Signup and view all the answers

What is a real object in optics?

An image located in the plane of convergence of light rays. Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes real and virtual images?

Real images are formed where light converges, while virtual images appear to be behind the lens. Signup and view all the answers

An image that appears right-side up is called ______.

erect Signup and view all the answers

An image that is upside down is known as ______.

inverted Signup and view all the answers

What does magnified mean in optics?

The process of enlarging the size of an object. Signup and view all the answers

What is a thin lens?

A lens whose thickness is negligible compared to its radii of curvature. Signup and view all the answers

What is a telescope?

An optical instrument designed to make distant objects appear nearer. Signup and view all the answers

What is a microscope?

An optical instrument used for viewing very small objects. Signup and view all the answers

What is a camera?

A device for recording visual images. Signup and view all the answers

What are primary colors?

A group of colors that can be combined to create other colors. Signup and view all the answers

What are secondary colors?

Colors resulting from mixing two primary colors. Signup and view all the answers

What is additive color?

Color created by mixing different light colors. Signup and view all the answers

What is subtractive color?

Mixing dyes or pigments to create a wider color range. Signup and view all the answers

What is absorption?

When light of a specific frequency is absorbed, it does not reach our eyes. Signup and view all the answers

What is reflection?

The throwing back of light, heat or sound by a surface. Signup and view all the answers

What is polarization?

The production of polarized light. Signup and view all the answers

What causes polarization by scattering?

Electromagnetic waves vibrate electrons in air molecules, creating polarized light. Signup and view all the answers

What are absorption spectra?

Spectra showing dark lines due to the absorption of specific wavelengths. Signup and view all the answers

What are absorption chemicals?

Chemicals that absorb specific wavelengths of light. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Reflection and Mirrors

Law of reflection: incident ray, reflected ray, and normal lie in the same plane; angle of reflection equals angle of incidence.
Specular reflection: light reflects off smooth surfaces at specific angles.
Diffuse reflection: occurs on rough surfaces, scattering light in all directions.
Plain mirrors: flat reflective surfaces where the angle of reflection equals the angle of incidence.

Refraction and Lenses

Refraction: light deflection occurs when passing through different media; changes in speed affect wave direction.
Refractive index: dimensionless number indicating how light moves through a medium (n = c/v).
Snell's Law: formula relating angles of incidence and refraction at a boundary between different media.
Critical angle: angle of incidence causing the angle of refraction to be 90°; essential for total internal reflection.
Convex lenses: thicker in the center, they converge light rays to a principal focus.
Concave lenses: thinner in the middle, they diverge light rays, making them appear to come from a virtual focus.
Focal length: distance from lens/mirror center to its focus, influencing nearsightedness (long) and farsightedness (short).

Prisms and Dispersion

Prisms: solid glass shapes that refract light, with geometric attributes defining their function.
Dispersion: light separation into colors based on the prism's index of refraction and wavelength, with varying deviations for different colors.
Deviation: prisms can alter ray paths, change image rotation, or displace images, optimizing imaging systems.

Image Formation

Real images: formed at the convergence of light rays, visible on a screen when placed at the convergence plane.
Virtual images: formed by diverging lenses or objects within the focal length of converging lenses.
Erect images: appear right-side up, consistent with the object's orientation; formed by specific optical devices.
Inverted images: have interchanged directions, formed by most astronomical telescopes.
Magnified images: representation enlargement, determined by the image-to-object size ratio.

Optical Instruments

Telescopes: capture distant objects using lens/mirror arrangements to produce magnified images.
Microscopes: magnify small objects, enabling detailed viewing of cells and specimens.
Cameras: devices for capturing visual images, producing photographs, films, or videos.

Light and Color

Visible spectrum: range of electromagnetic spectrum visible to the human eye (390 to 700 nm).
Primary colors: foundational colors that can combine to create a wide spectrum of hues.
Secondary colors: derived from mixing two primary colors.
Additive color model: creates colors by mixing light; red, green, and blue are the primary colors in this system.
Subtractive color model: mixing pigments to absorb certain wavelengths, creating varied colors.
Absorption: when light of a specific frequency is absorbed, it does not reach the observer, affecting color perception.

Advanced Light Properties

Reflection: light, heat, or sound returns from a surface without being absorbed.
Polarization: the direction of an electromagnetic wave's electric field; polarized light shows specific orientations.
Polarization by scattering: light interacts with air molecules, creating polarized light in directions perpendicular to the original ray.
Absorption spectra: dark lines in a spectrum indicate specific wavelengths absorbed by a substance.
Absorption chemicals: specific chemical processes can be substituted for physical absorption methods, like carbon dioxide absorption by sodium hydroxide.

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Description

Test your knowledge on key concepts in optics with these flashcards. Learn about the laws of reflection, specular and diffuse reflection, and more essential terms in the field of optics. Perfect for preparation in a Science Olympiad or any optics-related examination.