Light & Optics | Review Flashcard (MC)

Front

What is the speed of light in a vacuum?

Back

The speed of light in a vacuum is approximately 299,792 kilometers per second (km/s).

Front

In which medium does light travel fastest?

Back

Light travels fastest in a vacuum.

Front

What is refraction?

Back

Refraction is the bending of light as it passes from one medium to another due to a change in its speed.

Front

What is the law of reflection?

Back

The law of reflection states that the angle of incidence is equal to the angle of reflection.

Front

What is total internal reflection?

Back

Total internal reflection occurs when light attempts to move from a denser medium to a less dense medium at an angle greater than the critical angle, causing it to reflect entirely back into the denser medium.

Front

What is the critical angle?

Back

The critical angle is the angle of incidence above which total internal reflection occurs.

Front

What is the difference between concave and convex lenses?

Back

Concave lenses diverge light rays, while convex lenses converge light rays.

Front

What is the focal point of a lens?

Back

The focal point is the point where parallel rays of light either converge or appear to diverge after passing through a lens.

Front

What is dispersion of light?

Back

Dispersion of light is the separation of light into its constituent colors due to different degrees of refraction.

Front

What is a prism?

Back

A prism is a transparent optical element that refracts light, typically made of glass or plastic, and has flat, polished surfaces.