Chapter 14: Light Section 1: The Behavior of Light Light and matter: objects must reflect light to be seen Opaque materials do not allow light to pass through them; they only absorb and reflect light. (ex: brick)

Some light passes through translucent materials. (ex: shower door) Transparent materials allow almost all light to pass through them; only a little light is absorbed and reflected. (ex: eyeglasses)

http://t3.preservice.org/T0300715/testyourknowledge.html

Reflection of light: a light wave strikes an object and bounces off. Law of reflection: the angle at which light strikes a surface is the same as the angle at which it is reflected. Regular reflection: reflection of light waves from a smooth surface

Diffuse reflection: reflection of light waves from a rough surface. Refraction of light: change in the speed of a light wave when it passes from one material to another http://www.visionlearning.com/library/module_viewer.php?mid=132&l=&c3=

Index of refraction: indicates how much a material reduces the speed of light; the more light is slowed, the greater the index of refraction. Prisms: separate white light into visible spectrum based on light wavelengths. Rainbows: caused by water droplets refracting wavelengths of sunlight.

Prisms http://www.rit.edu/~andpph/exhibit-3.html

4. Refraction of light through air layers of different densities can result in a mirage.

Mirage http://hypertextbook.com/physics/waves/refraction/