1. III. Wave Properties of Light
Ch Light
III. Wave Properties of Light
(p )
Reflection
Refraction
Diffraction
Interference

2. A. Reflection Reflection when a wave strikes an object and bounces off
Normal
Reflection
when a wave strikes an object and bounces off
incident beam
reflected beam

3. A. Reflection Law of Reflection
the angle of incidence equals the angle of reflection

4. B. Refraction Refraction
bending of waves when passing from one medium to another
caused by a change in speed
slower (more dense)  light bends toward the normal
SLOWER
FASTER
faster (less dense)  light bends away from the normal

5. B. Refraction Refraction depends on… speed of light in the medium
wavelength of the light - shorter wavelengths (blue) bend more

6. B. Refraction
Example:
View explanation.

7. C. Diffraction Diffraction bending of waves around a barrier
longer wavelengths (red) bend more - opposite of refraction

8. D. Interference Interference constructive  brighter light
destructive  dimmer light

9. E. Cool Applications! Fiber Optics Total Internal Reflection
when all light is reflected back into the denser medium

10. E. Cool Applications! The “Broken Pencil” refraction
View animation and explanation of the “Broken Pencil.”

11. E. Cool Applications!
Rainbows
refraction-reflection-refraction

12. E. Cool Applications! Diffraction Gratings
glass or plastic made up of many tiny parallel slits
may also be reflective
spectroscopes, reflective rainbow stickers, CD surfaces

13. E. Cool Applications! Thin Films - Bubbles & Oil Slicks
interference results from double reflection

14. E. Cool Applications! Blue Sky & Red Sunsets
Molecules in atmosphere scatter light rays.
NOON
less atmosphere
less scattering
blue sky, yellow sun
Shorter wavelengths (blue, violet) are scattered more easily.
SUNSET
more atmosphere
more scattering
orange-red sky & sun