Reflection, Absorption & Transmission Flashcards
All 6 cards in this deck
State the law of reflection.
The angle of incidence equals the angle of reflection.
What three things can happen to a wave at a boundary between two different materials?
It can be reflected, transmitted or absorbed.
What does it mean if a wave is absorbed at a material interface?
The wave's energy is transferred into the material's energy stores (usually thermal) rather than continuing as a wave.
What does it mean if a wave is transmitted at a material interface?
The wave passes through into the second material, often changing speed and direction.
True or false? The angle of incidence is measured between the incident ray and the surface.
False. It is measured between the incident ray and the normal.
What are the steps to draw a ray diagram for reflection at a plane surface?
e.g. a ray arriving at 30° to the normal- Draw the normal, perpendicular to the surface at the point where the ray hits
- Draw the incident ray to that point and mark the angle of incidence: 30°
- Draw the reflected ray on the other side of the normal at the same angle: 30°