Optics

Can you believe what you see?

Optics

Reflection:Light is retransmitted from or “bounces off” an object

OpticsLaw of Reflection:The angle of incidence equals the angle of reflection.

OpticsRefractionLight “bends” or changes its angle as it moves from one medium to another.

OpticsImagesWhat you “see” when you look into a mirror or through a lens.

OpticsReal ImageA real image can be projected onto a surface.

Virtual ImageA virtual image cannot be projected onto a surface.

OpticsMirrorsPlane Mirrors

Flat mirrorsAlways produce an image that is behind the

mirror.

OpticsMirrorsSpherical Mirrors

Concave mirrorFormed on the inside of a sphere

Convex mirrorFormed on the outside of a sphere

Spherical Mirrors

OpticsBasic TerminologyFocal Point

The point where parallel beams of light converge after reflecting

Center of curvature

The center point of the circle made by a concave or convex mirror.

OpticsLensesConverging Lens

Parallel beams of light come together after refracting through the lensExample: Magnifying Glass

OpticsLensesDiverging Lens

Parallel beams of light spread apart after refracting through the lensExample: Certain eye glasses

OpticsRay DiagramsLet us predict where an image will form

A light ray is drawn as a simple line with an arrow indicating the direction

Optics

Concave mirrors—principle rays

Incident ray parallel to axis, reflected ray through the focal point

Optics

Concave mirrors—principle rays

Incident ray through the focal point, reflected parallel to axis

Optics

Concave mirrors—principle rays

Incident ray through the center point, reflected through the center point

OpticsConcave mirrors—examples

Image is smaller, inverted and real

Optics

Convex mirrors—principle rays

Incident ray parallel to the axis, reflected away from focal point (virtual)

(virtual ray)

Optics

Convex mirrors—principle rays

Incident ray toward the focal point, reflected parallel to the axis

Optics

Convex mirrors—principle rays

Incident ray toward the center point, reflected toward away from the center point

Optics

Convex mirrors—examples

Image:smaller,upright,virtual

Optics

Converging Lens

Optics

Converging Lens

Optics

Converging Lens

OpticsConverging Lens