Ray Diagrams
Ray diagrams are models that show the direction of light emitted from a light source. Ray diagrams are useful due to the properties of light: rays travel in straight lines, are energy, reflect and refract. Since light behaves according to these properties, we can make accurate predictions of the interaction of light with materials by drawing ray diagrams.
3 Interactions of Light & Objects
Opaque materials do not allow ANY light through Translucent materials only allow SOME light through Transparent materials transmit light; aka: allows light to pass through |
Law of Reflection
Regular Reflection - Light rays bounce off of a SMOOTH surface and continue to travel together in the same direction
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Diffuse Reflection - Light rays bounce off of a ROUGH surface and scatter in no defined direction.
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Mirrors & Reflection
Light rays will reflect off a mirror and create an image that we can view.
Images created by the reflection of a convex mirror will appear right-side up and will make the object look wider. Images created by the reflection of a concave mirror can appear both right-side up and upside down. If the object is behind the focal point, it will appear upside down. If the object is between the focal point and the mirror, it will appear right-side up! |
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Lenses and Refraction
Light rays refract, or change direction when they enter a new medium.
This is because the particles of the new medium are either more or less dense than those of the air around them. This holds true for how light behaves as it passes through a lens or prism. |
INTERACTIVE: Write down what you see - What was cool? What was lame? What happened? Can you replicate any of these?
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Behaviour of Light - Light Travels in Waves
The visible light spectrum is 1 of many parts of the Electromagnetic Spectrum. You will learn more about this next year in your study of Space Exploration! Visible light is the light that we can see. In the next section we will talk about wavelengths that other animals can see on Earth!
Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, Violet
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Sources of Light
Artificial Light - Light that is produced by humans. For example: incandescent and fluorescent light bulbs. See Page 222
Natural Light - Natural light occurs in nature without the need for human intervention. For example: Fires, the Sun, Bioluminescent organisms. Bioluminescent Organisms produce their own light. This has taught us a great deal about how light travels and the importance of the visual light spectrum. |
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INTERACTIVE: As a class, we will watch BBC's Blue Planet on The Deep. If you are absent, you can borrow the blu ray from me, or watch on Netflix! Fill in the "While you Watch" form as you view the episode.