physics chapter 12

Question 1

what are the characteristics of a plane mirror image

Answer 1

• the image is the same size as the object
• the image is laterally inverted
• the image is upright
• the image is the same distance from the mirror as the object

Question 2

what are the applications of mirrors

Answer 2

• vision testing
• periscopes
• instrument scale
• blind corner mirror

Question 3

define reflection

Answer 3

the rebounding of light at a surface

Question 4

define refraction

Answer 4

the bending of light as it passes from one optical medium to another

Question 5

how can we calculate the refractive index of a medium

Answer 5

n= speed of light in a vacuum/ speed of light in the medium

n= sin i/ sin r

Question 6

define normal

Answer 6

the imaginary line perpendicular to the refracting surface at the point of incidence

Question 7

what are the applications of total internal reflection

Answer 7

binoculars, periscopes, single lens reflex camera

Question 8

what is a converging lens

Answer 8

it is thicker at the centre

Question 9

what is a diverging lens

Answer 9

it is thinner at the centre

Question 10

define dispersion

Answer 10

the change in refractive index across the spectrum