Ch. 19: 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 When light bounces off a surface, it is called reflection. When light is reflected it travels in a straight line away from the reflecting surface. Example of Reflection: http://www.openschool.bc.ca/elementary/science4/html/bouncingLight.htm

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 Some materials transmit light, or allow light to pass through them. 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.

Questions About Chapter 19 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?