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waves-8-reflection-and-refraction

The document covers the principles of reflection and refraction in light, including the laws of reflection, the concept of virtual images, and the index of refraction. It explains how light behaves when transitioning between different mediums, affecting its speed and direction. Key takeaways include identifying angles of incidence and reflection, predicting light behavior with mirrors, and understanding the relationship between the index of refraction and light bending.

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Jyothis Thomas
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2 views

waves-8-reflection-and-refraction

The document covers the principles of reflection and refraction in light, including the laws of reflection, the concept of virtual images, and the index of refraction. It explains how light behaves when transitioning between different mediums, affecting its speed and direction. Key takeaways include identifying angles of incidence and reflection, predicting light behavior with mirrors, and understanding the relationship between the index of refraction and light bending.

Uploaded by

Jyothis Thomas
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Reflection &

Refraction
IB PHYSICS | WAVES - LIGHT
Reflection
Incidence
Angle of ______________ = Reflection
Angle of
_______________

Normal Line (⟂ to surface)


Reflection
Reflection

Virtual
Image
Predict
Can this person see their feet in the mirror?

No
If the angle of reflection equals
the angle of incidence, the light
can never reflect from their feet
into their eyes
“Full Length” Mirrors

Same mirror size


and placement
for any distance
Not every surface is a flat
mirror
en surfaces that seem nice and flat are often textur

Diffuse Reflection
Retro-reflective Mirrors
Light always reflects directly back to the source
Retro-reflective Mirrors
Colors
We perceive colors in objects depending on
how different wavelengths are reflected
Refraction

ends because of a change in medium


Speed of Light
In a vacuum all electromagnetic waves
travel at:
c = 299,792,458 m/s = 3.00 ×
108 m/s
Light slows down when it travels through different
mediums
Air 2.999 × 108 m s-1
Water 2.256 × 108 m s-1
Glass 1.974 × 108 m s-1
Index of Refraction  n
𝑛1 𝑣 2 n11 1.974v2×10
8

= 1.52
= 8
𝑛2 𝑣 1 n2 3.00v×10
1

1 Vacuum 3.00 × 108 m s-1 1


2.999 × 108 m 1.0003~ 1
Air
s-1
1.33
2.256 × 108 m
2 Water 1.52
s-1
1.974 × 108 m
Try This
How fast does light travel through cubic
zirconia (n = 2.15)?
𝑛1 𝑣2 1 𝑣2
= =
𝑛2 𝑣1 2.15 3.00 × 10 8

8 −1
𝑣 2= 1.40 × 10 m s
Predicting the Bend

faster
n=1
n = 1.33
Bends toward the slower
most optically dense
medium normal line
Predicting the Bend
Bends away from the
least optically dense
medium normal line
faster
n=1
n = 1.33
slower
How Much Bend?
What’s the relationship
between index of
refraction (n) and the
Air amount that light bends? Air
n=1 n=1

Larger More to less


difference in optically
index means dense will
more bending Water bend away
n = 1.33 Water from normal
at boundary
n = 1.33
Glass Glass
n = 1.52 n = 1.52
Lesson Takeaways
 I can identify the angle of incidence and angle of
reflection for a reflected wave ray
 I can use the law of reflection to predict the way
light bounces off of a plane mirror
 I can relate the index of refraction of a material to
the speed of light as it travels through
 I can qualitatively predict how light bends when
transitioning between boundaries

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