Quick Review Flashcards - Click to flip and test your knowledge!
Question
What is a spherical mirror?
Answer
A mirror whose reflecting surface is shaped like a part of a hollow glass sphere.
Question
Which type of spherical mirror has a reflecting surface that curves inwards?
Answer
A concave mirror.
Question
Which type of spherical mirror has a reflecting surface that bulges outwards?
Answer
A convex mirror.
Question
How is the non-reflecting surface of a spherical mirror indicated in a schematic representation?
Answer
It is shown as shaded.
Question
According to the 'Step further' section, how are spherical mirrors actually manufactured?
Answer
By grinding and polishing a flat glass piece into a curved surface.
Question
What is formed if a reflective coating is applied to the outer curved surface of a polished glass piece?
Answer
A concave mirror.
Question
What is formed if a reflective coating is applied to the inner curved surface of a polished glass piece?
Answer
A convex mirror.
Question
What kind of image is produced by the inner curved surface of a shiny metallic spoon?
Answer
An inverted image.
Question
What are the characteristics of an image formed by the outer curved surface of a shiny metallic spoon?
Answer
It is erect and smaller in size.
Question
In a concave mirror, what are the image characteristics when the object is placed very close to it?
Answer
The image is erect and enlarged.
Question
How does the image in a concave mirror change when the object is moved farther away?
Answer
The image becomes inverted.
Question
What happens to the size of an inverted image in a concave mirror as the object continues to move away?
Answer
The image keeps getting smaller.
Question
What are the two constant characteristics of an image formed by a convex mirror?
Answer
It is always erect and diminished (smaller than the object).
Question
How does moving an object away from a convex mirror affect the image size?
Answer
The size of the image decreases slightly.
Question
Which image characteristic is common to plane, concave, and convex mirrors?
Answer
Lateral inversion.
Question
Why are reflectors in torches and car headlights concave in shape?
Answer
To reflect and concentrate the light beam from the bulb.
Question
Why do dentists use concave mirrors to inspect teeth?
Answer
To provide an enlarged view of the teeth when held close.
Question
What is the primary mirror type used in most modern reflecting telescopes?
Answer
A large concave mirror.
Question
Why are convex mirrors preferred as side-view mirrors in vehicles?
Answer
They provide a much wider area of visibility of the road behind.
Question
Why is the warning 'Objects in mirror are closer than they appear' written on vehicle side-view mirrors?
Answer
Because convex mirrors form diminished images, making objects look farther away than they truly are.
Question
Where are convex mirrors typically installed to prevent traffic collisions?
Answer
At road intersections or sharp bends.
Question
What is the purpose of installing convex mirrors in big stores?
Answer
To monitor a large area to deter thefts.
Question
What is the scientific term for the ray of light that falls on a mirror?
Answer
The incident ray.
Question
What is the scientific term for the ray of light that comes back from a mirror after striking it?
Answer
The reflected ray.
Question
Define the 'normal' in the context of light reflection.
Answer
A line drawn at an angle of $90^{\circ}$ to the reflecting surface at the point of incidence.
Question
How is the angle of incidence ($i$) defined?
Answer
The angle between the normal and the incident ray.
Question
How is the angle of reflection ($r$) defined?
Answer
The angle between the normal and the reflected ray.
Question
What is the First Law of Reflection regarding the relationship between angles?
Answer
The angle of incidence ($i$) is equal to the angle of reflection ($r$).
Question
State the Second Law of Reflection regarding the spatial relationship of rays.
Answer
The incident ray, the normal at the point of incidence, and the reflected ray all lie in the same plane.
Question
If an incident ray falls on a mirror exactly along the normal, what is the angle of reflection?
Answer
$0^{\circ}$
Question
To which types of mirrors are the laws of reflection applicable?
Answer
All kinds of mirrors, including plane, concave, and convex.
Question
What happens to multiple parallel beams of light when they fall upon a plane mirror?
Answer
The reflected beams remain parallel to each other.
Question
What happens to multiple parallel beams of light when they fall upon a concave mirror?
Answer
The reflected beams get closer together, or converge.
Question
What happens to multiple parallel beams of light when they fall upon a convex mirror?
Answer
The reflected beams spread out, or diverge.
Question
What is a solar concentrator?
Answer
A device that uses mirrors or lenses to concentrate sunlight into a small area.
Question
Why can a concave mirror be used to ignite a piece of paper using sunlight?
Answer
It converges sunlight into a sharp bright spot, producing enough heat to start a fire.
Question
What are two industrial uses for the heat generated by solar concentrators?
Answer
Generating electricity (via steam) and providing heat for solar furnaces.
Question
What is a lens?
Answer
A piece of transparent material, usually glass or plastic, which has curved surfaces.
Question
Describe the physical characteristic of a convex lens.
Answer
It is thicker at the middle than at the edges.
Question
Describe the physical characteristic of a concave lens.
Answer
It is thinner at the middle than at the edges.
Question
What is the primary functional difference between how light interacts with mirrors versus lenses?
Answer
Lenses allow light to pass through them, whereas mirrors reflect light.
Question
What kind of image is seen through a convex lens when the object is at a small distance?
Answer
The image is erect and enlarged.
Question
How does the image seen through a convex lens change as the object is moved farther away?
Answer
The image becomes inverted.
Question
What are the image characteristics for an object viewed through a concave lens?
Answer
The image is always erect and diminished (smaller than the object).
Question
Which type of lens is also known as a converging lens?
Answer
A convex lens.
Question
Which type of lens is also known as a diverging lens?
Answer
A concave lens.
Question
How do multiple parallel beams of light behave when passing through a thin, flat glass plate?
Answer
They pass through as they are, without converging or diverging.
Question
What type of lens is found inside the human eye?
Answer
A convex lens.
Question
Name three common optical devices that utilize lenses.
Answer
Cameras, telescopes, and microscopes.
Question
What unique ability does the convex lens in the human eye have?
Answer
It can change its shape to allow us to focus on objects both near and far away.
Question
A spherical mirror that curves inwards is called a _____ mirror.
Answer
concave
Question
A spherical mirror that curves outwards is called a _____ mirror.
Answer
convex
Question
The angle between the normal and the reflected ray is the angle of _____.
Answer
reflection
Question
In a concave mirror, the image becomes _____ when the object is moved far away.
Answer
inverted
Question
A convex lens is also called a _____ lens because it brings parallel rays together.
Answer
converging
Question
A concave lens is also called a _____ lens because it spreads parallel rays apart.
Answer
diverging
Question
The law of reflection states that the angle of incidence is _____ the angle of reflection.
Answer
equal to
Question
True or False: A concave lens can form an enlarged image of an object.
Answer
False (it always forms a diminished image).
Question
What is the effect of placing a water drop on text, as described in Activity 10.8?
Answer
The text appears enlarged because the water drop acts like a simple convex lens.
Question
What safety precaution must be taken when using a concave mirror to focus sunlight?
Answer
Never look directly at the Sun or into the mirror reflecting the Sun, as it can damage the eyes.