1. Behavior of Light

2. Light and Materials Without light, nothing is visible
Materials can be transparent, translucent and opaque
Each type of material will affect the behavior of light in different ways

3. Transparent, Translucent and Opaque
A transparent material transmits light which means it allows most of the light to pass through
Examples: water or window
A translucent material scatters light
Examples: glycerin soap or frosted window
An opaque material absorbs or reflects all of the light that hits it
Examples: wooden desk, metal chair, most materials are opaque

4. Light
When light strikes a material it can be transferred to the matter
The light is reflected, absorbed or transmitted
When the light is transmitted it can be refracted, polarized or scattered

5. Reflection
An image is a copy of an object formed by reflected(or refracted) waves of light
Regular reflection occurs when parallel light waves hit a surface and reflect all in the same direction
Regular reflection occurs when light hits a smooth, polished surface ex. A still lake

6. Diffuse Reflection
A diffuse reflection occurs when parallel light waves strike a rough, uneven surface and reflect in many different directions
This occurs when light reflects a rough lake and you see a blurred image

7. Refraction
A light wave will bend or refract when it passes at an angle from one medium to another
Refraction will make objects under water seem larger and closer
Refraction can also cause a mirage which is a false or distorted image

8. Polarization
Light with waves that vibrate in only one plane is polarized light
A horizontal polarizing filter stops waves on a vertical plane
A vertical polarizing filter stops waves on a horizontal plane
Polarized sunglasses have vertically polarized filters to block horizontal light

9. Scattering
Scattering means that light is redirected as it passes through a medium
Scattering makes reddens the sun at sunrise and sunset
The blue and green light has been scattered so the orange and red are the colors we see
The sky is blue since the Earth’s atmosphere scatters the blue light in all directions, the air is actually colorless