1. Interactions of Light Waves
EQ: How are light waves affected by reflection, refraction and diffraction?

2. Reflection Reflect means bounces off of
EQ: How are light waves affected by reflection, refraction and diffraction?
Reflection
Reflect means bounces off of
Regular reflection – rays of light hit a smooth surface and the rays are reflected back at the same angle.
Diffuse reflection – rays of light hit a bumpy or uneven surface which causes the rays to bounce back at different angles
normal
angle of incidence
angle of reflection
60°

3. Absorption
Transfer of energy carried by light waves to particles in matter
Example: flashlight beam shining through the air absorbs some of the light energy from the light. The result is a dim light. The farther the light travels from its source, the more it is absorbed by particles and the dimmer it becomes.
EQ: How are light waves affected by reflection, refraction and diffraction?

4. Scattering
Interaction of light with matter that causes the light to change direction.
Example: Beam of light from a flashlight allows you to see things that are outside the beam.
EQ: How are light waves affected by reflection, refraction and diffraction?

5. Refraction
Bending of a wave as it passes from one substance, or material to another. The change in speed causes them to bend, or change direction
Refraction can cause you to see something that may not be there, like a rainbow or a mirage
EQ: How are light waves affected by reflection, refraction and diffraction?

6. Lens
Lens – a curved piece of glass or other transparent material used to refract light i.e. eyeglasses, binoculars, camera
EQ: How are light waves affected by reflection, refraction and diffraction?

7. Concave Lens thinner at the center than at the edges –
When rays of light pass through a concave lens the waves are refracted (bent) away from each other
Concave Lens
EQ: How are light waves affected by reflection, refraction and diffraction?

8. Convex Lens Thicker in the center than at the edges
focal point
Thicker in the center than at the edges
When light travels through a convex lens the beams are refracted toward each other
EQ: How are light waves affected by reflection, refraction and diffraction?

9. Refraction and Color Separation
When a beam of visible light enters the prism it is refracted. Each color bends in a different amount according to its wavelength.
EQ: How are light waves affected by reflection, refraction and diffraction?

10. Diffraction Bending of waves around barriers or through openings
Light does not diffract a lot because the wavelength of light is about 100 times thinner than a human hair
This means light cannot bend very much by diffraction unless it passes through a narrow opening, around sharp edges, or around a small barrier that is the same size or smaller than the wavelength of light
EQ: How are light waves affected by reflection, refraction and diffraction?

11. Interference
Constructive interference – two light waves combine to form a wave with greater amplitude
Destructive Interference – two light waves combine to form a wave with a smaller amplitude
EQ: How are light waves affected by reflection, refraction and diffraction?

12. Class Work and Homework
EQ: How are light waves affected by reflection, refraction and diffraction?
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