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College Physics 2e

Glossary

College Physics 2eGlossary

converging lens: a convex lens in which light rays that enter it parallel to its axis converge at a single point on the opposite side

converging mirror: a concave mirror in which light rays that strike it parallel to its axis converge at one or more points along the axis

corner reflector: an object consisting of two mutually perpendicular reflecting surfaces, so that the light that enters is reflected back exactly parallel to the direction from which it came

critical angle: incident angle that produces an angle of refraction of $90º$

dispersion: spreading of white light into its full spectrum of wavelengths

diverging lens: a concave lens in which light rays that enter it parallel to its axis bend away (diverge) from its axis

diverging mirror: a convex mirror in which light rays that strike it parallel to its axis bend away (diverge) from its axis

fiber optics: transmission of light down fibers of plastic or glass, applying the principle of total internal reflection

focal length: distance from the center of a lens or curved mirror to its focal point

focal point: for a converging lens or mirror, the point at which converging light rays cross; for a diverging lens or mirror, the point from which diverging light rays appear to originate

geometric optics: part of optics dealing with the ray aspect of light

index of refraction: for a material, the ratio of the speed of light in vacuum to that in the material

law of reflection: angle of reflection equals the angle of incidence

law of reflection: angle of reflection equals the angle of incidence

magnification: ratio of image height to object height

mirror: smooth surface that reflects light at specific angles, forming an image of the person or object in front of it

power: inverse of focal length

rainbow: dispersion of sunlight into a continuous distribution of colors according to wavelength, produced by the refraction and reflection of sunlight by water droplets in the sky

ray: straight line that originates at some point

real image: image that can be projected

refraction: changing of a light ray’s direction when it passes through variations in matter

virtual image: image that cannot be projected

zircon: natural gemstone with a large index of refraction

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- Authors: Paul Peter Urone, Roger Hinrichs
- Publisher/website: OpenStax
- Book title: College Physics 2e
- Publication date: Jul 13, 2022
- Location: Houston, Texas
- Book URL: https://openstax.org/books/college-physics-2e/pages/1-introduction-to-science-and-the-realm-of-physics-physical-quantities-and-units
- Section URL: https://openstax.org/books/college-physics-2e/pages/25-glossary

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