Light Interaction Stations

Light Interaction Light Interaction StationsStationsHow Come, Huh?How Come, Huh?

Some images and descriptions come from Some images and descriptions come from PhotonPhoton by B.K. Hixon by B.K. Hixon

ReflectionReflectionBouncing LightBouncing Light

How Come, Huh?

This one is short and sweet. The angle of the

incident (incoming) beam of light always

equals the angle of the reflected (outgoing)

beam of light.

ReflectionReflection

The Law of Reflection (angle of incidence is The Law of Reflection (angle of incidence is equal to the angle of reflection).If the lines equal to the angle of reflection).If the lines are drawn carefully, the distances and are drawn carefully, the distances and angles should be identical.angles should be identical.

The Ghostly Container- The Ghostly Container- This means that the This means that the perceived distance behind the mirror, will perceived distance behind the mirror, will equal the distance the container is before equal the distance the container is before the mirror.the mirror.

Watch that WinkWatch that Wink- Reflection in one mirror - Reflection in one mirror reflects and flips the image on the other reflects and flips the image on the other mirror. When we see the image, it is has mirror. When we see the image, it is has been reflected twice.been reflected twice.

ReflectionReflectionPouring LightPouring Light

RefractionRefraction

Disappearing PennyDisappearing Penny

Refraction- When water is added to the Refraction- When water is added to the container, the light from the coin is container, the light from the coin is bent upward so much that it goes out bent upward so much that it goes out of the top of the glass. of the top of the glass.

Since light could not get out through Since light could not get out through the side, when viewed from the side, it the side, when viewed from the side, it could not be seen. could not be seen.

RefractionRefraction

Reverse the ArrowsReverse the ArrowsThe beaker becomes a The beaker becomes a convexconvex lens lens

(a lens that is thicker in the middle).(a lens that is thicker in the middle).Light that shines through a convex Light that shines through a convex

lens comes to a focus, or converges. lens comes to a focus, or converges. The beaker of water acts as a very The beaker of water acts as a very thick convex lens. As you get back thick convex lens. As you get back beyond the focal point, the image beyond the focal point, the image reverses. reverses.

Refraction and LensesRefraction and Lenses

Absorption and Absorption and ScatteringScattering

Powdered Mild SunsetsPowdered Mild Sunsets

Scattering MilkScattering Milk

When viewing the bottle from the side, When viewing the bottle from the side, you should see a bluish color from blue you should see a bluish color from blue light being scattered. If looking straight light being scattered. If looking straight through the water toward the flashlight, through the water toward the flashlight, the light appears reddish.the light appears reddish.

The milk particles scatter the light The milk particles scatter the light traveling through the water just like air traveling through the water just like air particles scatter sunlight as it travels particles scatter sunlight as it travels through the air.through the air.

Absorption and Absorption and ScatteringScattering

Powdered Mild SunsetsPowdered Mild Sunsets

DiffractionDiffractionPrisms, Water PrismsPrisms, Water Prisms

DiffractionDiffractionPrisms, Water PrismsPrisms, Water Prisms

InterferenceInterferenceBubble Wave WarsBubble Wave Wars

InterferenceInterference