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CHOONG HAN JUN (COPYRIGHTED) ©

MODELS:
Ray of Light
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CHAPTER ANALYSIS
7 KEY CONCEPTS
• Show an understanding that the ray model represents the path taken by light

• Recognise that light travels in straight lines, forming shadows when blocked

• Explain how reflection is affected by smooth and rough surfaces using the ray model of light

• Predict the characteristics of the image formed by a plane mirror using the ray model of light

• Describe the effects and uses of reflecting surfaces (eg. plane and curved)

• Describe some effects of refraction

• Describe the dispersion of white light by a prism using the ray model of light

3 ADVANCED CONCEPTS
• Show an understanding that the change in the speed of light in different media causes refraction

• Explain how we see the colour of objects in white light and coloured light such as red, blue, and green

• Investigate the effects of refraction in practical activities and make inferences through observations in everyday life
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KEY CONCEPT

LIGHT
Luminous objects produce light, and are sources of light (sun, stars, fire, etc.)
Non-luminous objects do not produce light, and are not sources of light (tree, book, etc.)
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PROPERTIES OF LIGHT
Light travelsin straight lines.
• Hence, a ray of light is represented by
a straight line with an
arrow to indicate its direction(ray model of light)

When light is blocked,shadows are formed.

• The area behind the object that receives no light is the shadow

REFLECTION
Definition: the bounding of light off a mirror

• Incident ray: ray of light

travelling towards the mirror

• Reflected ray: ray of light

travelling away from the mirror

• Normal: Imaginary line at right

angles to the mirror

PROPERTIES
• Angle of incidence
: angle
between normal and incident ray

OF LIGHT
• Angle of reflection
: angle
between normal and reflected
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 CHOONG HAN JUN (COPYRIGHTED) ©

Regular reflection

• Occurs when parallel rays of light hitsmooth

a surface such as a
plane mirror-> reflected asparallelrays
• Image isclear and undistorted

Diffuse reflection

• Occurs when parallel rays of light hitrough

a surface such as

TYPES OF frosted glass or rough paper

angles
-> reflected off the surface at different

• Rough surfaces havemany different angles of incidence

• Image is Distorted

REFLECTIONS
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PLANE MIRRORS

Properties
• The image formed is always
virtual
a image
• The image islaterally inverted

Uses of plane mirrors

• Rearview mirror inside a car helps the driver see traffic behind the car
• A plane mirror on a wall makes a room look bigger

CURVED MIRRORS
Convex mirrors
• Form upright images that are always smaller than the
objects
• Have a large ‘field of view’ to see many things

Concave mirrors

MIRRORS • Form upright magnified images if the objects are close

to the mirrors
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REFRACTION
Definition: Refraction refers to the bending (change in direction) of light as it
passes from one transparent material to another of a different optical
density.

This is because its speed changes as it travels from one

transparent material into another. Light travels slower in
materials that are optically denser.

REFRACTION
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As light travels from air into glass, it slows down and bends towards the normal.

Examples of refraction
• Swimming pool appears shallower than it actually is
• Straws appear to ‘bend’ towards the surface of water

KEY CONCEPT
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COLOURS
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Dispersion
Definition: separation or splitting of white light into its separate colours
Occurs when a beam of white light travels through the glass prism.

When light shines on a coloured object, some of the colours in

the spectrum are reflected and some are absorbed.

• White objects: reflected all the colours and absorbed none

• Black objects: absorbed all the colours
• Blue objects: reflected blue light and absorbed all the other
colours

Coloured light

COLOURS Example: using a green apple under green light and red light

Green light: Green apple appears green because it reflects the

green light
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Red light: Green apple appears black because it absorbs the red light

KEY CONCEPT
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IMPACTS OF

LIGHT ON SOCIETY
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Benefits of lighting
• Electric lamps light up our homes at night
• Streetlights help car drivers to see at night
• Lights help us to decorate our surroundings

Negative effects of lighting

Light pollution
refers to the presence of artificial light in the night
environment.

Effects
• Advertising signs (used unnecessarily late at night) cause light pollution
and contribute to energy wastage
• Artificial lights may cause tiredness, headaches and sleeplessness in
people who work at night

BENEFITS &
NEGATIVE EFFECTS