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Questions and Answers
What is the behavior called when light bounces off a mirror and reverses direction without changing speed?
What is the behavior called when light bounces off a mirror and reverses direction without changing speed?
Reflection
What is the term used to describe the change in direction of light when it passes through transparent objects?
What is the term used to describe the change in direction of light when it passes through transparent objects?
Refraction
Define polarized light.
Define polarized light.
Light whose vibrations happen only in one plane.
Explain why the top half of a pencil lying flat on a table may appear blurry when viewed.
Explain why the top half of a pencil lying flat on a table may appear blurry when viewed.
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How does the speed of light change when it moves through different materials?
How does the speed of light change when it moves through different materials?
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What is the term for light whose vibrations occur in more than one plane?
What is the term for light whose vibrations occur in more than one plane?
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Study Notes
Light and Waves
Light is all around us. It's how we see things, and its properties can fascinate people of all ages who want to understand it better. In this guide, we will cover some basic principles of light as a wave, including reflection, refraction, polarization, and how frequencies and amplitudes play into these phenomena. We'll also explore what happens when light hits different surfaces, such as mirrors, and why its speed changes based on materials.
Reflection
Reflective surfaces like mirrors send back incoming light to where it came from. When light bounces off a mirror, it reverses direction without changing speed. This behavior is called reflection. Mirror reflections stay upright because they reflect the light rays straight back, just like a tennis ball machine sends balls upward.
Refraction
When light passes through transparent objects, sometimes the path it takes changes. This change in direction is known as refraction, and it's due to the change in the speed of light through different materials. For example, if you look at a pencil lying flat on a table, the top half appears blurry because the light has bent while traveling through the air above the pencil to your eye.
Polarization
Polarized light is light whose vibrations happen only in one plane. Imagine taking a flashlight and only shining it in one direction: polari
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Description
Learn about the fundamental principles of light waves, including reflection, refraction, and polarization. Explore how light behaves when it interacts with different surfaces and materials. Discover the fascinating properties of light and its impact on our everyday experiences.
