Reflection, Absorption, and Refraction of Light Vocabulary: reflection, absorption, transmit, refraction

When Light Strikes an Object Light travels in a straight line. It will continue moving in a straight line, until it hit something. Depending on what it hits, light may behave in very different ways.

Reflection Laws of Reflection https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vt-SG7Pn8UU

Reflection The law of reflection states that the angle of reflection is equal to the angle of incidence. A ray that hits the surface is the incident ray. The ray that bounces off the surface is the reflected ray. *An incidence is the intersection of a line, or something moving in a straight line, such as a beam of light, with a surface.

Reflection

Reflection When light bounces off a surface/objects at equal angles, it is called reflection. When light is reflected it travels in a straight line away from the reflecting surface. Interactive Example of Reflection: http://www.openschool.bc.ca/elementary/science4/html/bouncingLight.htm

Absorption Color is produced by the absorption of selected wavelengths of light by an object. Taking in light. Energy transferred from light to heat.

Absorption Any time light hits a surface, some of it is absorbed, or taken in. When light is absorbed into a surface it is transformed from light energy, into heat energy. That is why on a sunny day it is cooler to wear a white t-shirt, than a black t-shirt; dark surfaces absorb more light than lighter surfaces.

Refraction Light BENDING when it goes from one transparent medium to another. Examples: Air to water Air to glass air sunlight glass

Refraction Some materials transmit light, or allow light to pass through them. Rays that pass through a surface are called transmitted rays. These transparent materials cause light to bend as it is passing through the surface. When the light bends, it makes things look like they do not match up.

Refraction continued… How light bends depends on how the atoms of the two materials absorb energy and the angle of the light. This causes the light to change speed. The direction of the bend has to do with whether light speeds up or slows down.

Basics of a telescope (refraction) 2 lenses are used to bend light.

http://www.myschoolhouse.com/courses/O/1/36.asp Click above to see a diagram of the difference between the two types of lenses (Concave and Convex) These types of lenses are used everyday to BEND light. Concave lenses converge light. Convex lenses diverge light.

Questions Which color absorbs the most light? When light bounces off a surface, what is it called? Describe what happens to light when it passes through glass or water. What happens to a material when it absorbs light? On a summer day, why is blacktop so much hotter than the dirt next to it?