Optics unit test review

What is light?
Light is a form of energy that can be transmitted without a medium (physical substance that acts
as a carrier). Some properties of light include
- Travels very fast
- Travels in a straight line
How is wavelength, energy, and frequency related?
Wavelength is the distance between the crest wave to another.
Frequency is the number of waves that pass a fixed point in unit time
The longer the wavelength the lower the energy and the safer it is. E.g Radio waves
The shorter the wavelength the higher the energy and its more dangerous e.e Gamma Rays
What is the visible spectrum?
The visible spectrum makes up a part of the electromagnetic spectrum ( range of frequencies of
electromagnetic radiation) and it's a continuous sequence of colours that make up white light.
ROY G BIV
What is meant by the term luminous?
Luminous means any object that produces its own light e.g sun
What is the difference between: bioluminescence, chemiluminescence, fluorescence,
phosphorescence, incandescence, electric discharge, and triboluminescence?
Bioluminescence: Living organism that produce light in their bodies through a chemical reaction
e.g fireflies
Chemiluminescence: Chemical reaction produces light directly e.g. Light stick
Fluorescence: Mercury absorbs UV light and immediately releases visible light e.g highlighters
Triboluminescence: When crystals are rubbed, scratched or crushed e.g biting wintergreen
candy
Phosphorescence: A special material absorbs light UV light and releases visible light over a
period of time
Electric discharge: Electric current passes through gas e.e lightning
Incandescence: An object is heated to a high temperature e.g burner from stove
What are the two Laws of Reflection?
- The normal, reflected ray and incident ray all lie on the same plane
- The angle of reflection equals to the angle of incidence
State the SALT characteristics of images in:
a) a plane mirror
S: Same Size, A:Upright and Laterally Inverted, L: Same Distance Behind the mirror, T: Virtual
b) a concave mirror: beyond C, at C, between C & F, at F, between F & V (mirror)
Beyond C=
S: Smaller, A: Inverted, L: Between C and F, T: Real Image
At C=
S: Same Size, A: Inverted, L: At C, T: Real Image
Between C and F
S: Larger, A: Inverted, L: Outside of C, T: Real Image
At F=
NO IMAGE IS FORMED
Between F and V=
S: Larger, A: Upright, L: Behind mirror, T: Virtual Image
c) a convex mirror
S: Smaller, A: Upright, L: Behind Mirror, T: Virtual Image
d) a converging lens: beyond 2F, at 2F, between 2F & F, at F, between F & O (lens)
Beyond 2F
S: Smaller, A: Inverted, L: Between F and 2F, T: Real Image
At 2F
S: Same Size, A: Inverted, L: At 2F T: Real Image
Between 2F and F
S: Larger, A: Inverted, L: Beyond 2F, T: Real Image
At F:
NO CLEAR IMAGE
Between F and O
S: Larger, A: Upright, L: Same side as object, T: Real Image
e) a diverging lens
S: Smaller, A: Upright, L: Same side as object, T: Virtual Image
Rules to draw image on concave and convex mirror:
1. Light parallel to the principal axis reflects through focus
2. Light ray goes through focus and is parallel to principal axis
3. Light ray goes through centre of curvature and reflect back
4. Angle of incidence= Angle of reflection
Rules to draw image on diverging and converging lens:
1. Light ray goes through optical centre and continues straight without being refracted
2. Light ray goes through secondary principal focus and is refracted parallel to principal
axis
3. Light ray is parallel to principal axis and refract through principal focus
What happens to an image if reflected (or refracted) rays never meet? Why? Where does
this
occur in a mirror? A lens?
No clear image forms when the reflected to refracted images don't meet. On a mirror and lens,
this occurs when object is at the focus point
Compare a converging lens with a diverging lens. Refer to lens shape, SALT possibilities,
and lens uses?
A converging lens bends outwards and when the light rays go through it they refract and all come
together to form and image. A diverging mirror is bent inwards and when the light rays hit the
diverging lens they refract and all separate/diverge. Diverging lens only has one SALT possibilite
which is S: Smaller, A: Upright, L: Same side as object, T: Virtual Image, while converging lens
has many possibilities depending on where the object is placed. The uses of converging lenses
include movie projectors, spotlights, hand magnifiers while the application of diverging lenses
include corrective lenses.
What is the difference between a real and virtual image produced in a mirror vs. a lens?
Real images can be captured on a screen while virtual images cannot be and real images form
when the reflected/refracted rays intersect.
Application of Lenses:
The Camera:
- Converging lens that produces a real inverted image
- The object must be placed beyond 2F and the image will be between F and 2F
- Takes a large distant object and forms a smaller, real image
The Movie Projector:
- Takes a smaller object and projects a real, inverted, real image
- Film must be between F and 2F and image will be beyond 2F
The Magnifying Glass:
- The magnifying glass is a converging glass where the object is placed between the focus
and optical centre
- The image produced is a virtual, upright image
Why don’t we see inverted images even though the lens in our eyes is a converging one?
We don't see inverted images because our brain makes the images upright when the light rays hit
the object and get reflected into our eyes.
Explain the part of the human eyes and its function.
Iris: It's the coloured part of the human eye and its control most of the light that enters the eye
Pupil: Hole in the iris from where light enters the eye
Retina: Light sensitive cells at the back of the eye and converts light into electrical signal
Optic nerve: Carries electrical signal to the brain from the retina and there is no light sensitive
cells, creating a blind spot
Cornea: Transparent part of the eye covering the pupil iris, retina, and optic nerve
Cone cells: Colour detecting cells
Rod cells: Intensity detecting cells
Ciliary Muscles: controls the shape of the lens to accommodate
What is eye accommodation?
The changing of shape of the eye lens by eye muscles to allow a sharply focused image to form
on the retina
How does the light enter your eye and help you see an image?
1. The eye acts as a converging mirror and gathers all the light
2. The eye produces a small, inverted, real image on the retina of the eye
3. The optic nerve communicate the image to the barian
4. The brain flips the image and makes it right side up
What is the difference between myopia, hyperopia, presbyopia and astigmatism?
How can they be corrected (i.e. lens type used)?
Myopia:
This occurs when a person can see things better from afar and the distance between lens and
retina is large. A diverging lens in a modified form called negative meniscus can be used to
correct this
Hyperopia:
This occurs when a person can see things from near and the distance between lens and retina is
too small. This can be corrected by using a modified version of a converging lens called positive
meniscus.

Presbyopia:
This happens over time when someone loses eyesight and this can be corrected by a converging
lens.
Astigmatism:
This happens when the eye is misshapen and messes with your focus. The person with
astigmatism has blurred vision. This can be corrected with laser eye surgery