Angle of incidence is always equal to the angle of reflection
Normal is perpendicular
Specular reflection is when boundary is flat so normals are in the same direction, creating a clear image
Diffuse reflection is where the boundary is bumpy so normals will be in all different directions, leading light in different directions
Refraction of Light Waves: when waves change direction as they pass from one medium to another
Waves travel at different speeds in different materials
Different mediums have different densities
The higher the density of the material, the slower the wave
More dense medium bend towards the normal
REFRACTION TOOLS
Just like mirrors being our reflection tools, lenses are our refraction tools. Typically we assume that lenses are used on light that starts in the air (which is close enough to a vacuum to consider n1=1.00) the light then passes through the lens, and exits back in to the air. With this set up we can simply describe the shape of lenses to know what they do!
CONVERGING LENSES
Converging lenses focus light towards a central point (called a focus). They do this mostly through convex surfaces where the middle of the lens is thicker than the edges. Following are some sketches of converging lenses. Notice how all of them have 1-2 convex surfaces and they are all thicker in the center than at the edges.
CONVERGING LENSES
These are used everywhere- the lenses in your eyes are converging lenses. Reading glasses are converging. Telescopes, microscopes, and magnifying glasses all use converging lenses.
DIVERGING LENSES
Diverging lenses disperse light away from a central point (called a focus). They do this mostly through concave surfaces where the middle of the lens is thinner than the edges. Following are some sketches of diverging lenses. Notice how all of them have 1-2 concave surfaces and they are all thinner in the center than at the edges.
DIVERGING LENSES
Diverging lenses are used often as well. The primary place we're going to see them is in glasses for nearsighted folks (such as myself!) , but they are also used often to enhance telescopes, binoculars, and cameras!
A lens power changes with its curvature
Convex retracts parallel rays of light inwards to a single point called principle focus
Convex is the same as converging lens, light ways to converge
Concaverefract parallel rays of light outwards, dispersing the light
All lens have a principle focus on both sides
The shorter the focal length, the more powerful the lens will be
In order to make lens more powerful, lens must be more curved or made of different material
Images are formed at points where all the lightways from a particular point on an object, appear to come together
Real Image: light rays actually do come together to form the image. Image could be captured on the screen. Inverted
Virtual Image: formed when the light rays don't come together where the image appears to be. Virtual rays aren't light rays. Appear to be behind the mirror, actually can't be any rays behind