Physics

# Section Summary

PhysicsSection Summary

### 16.1Reflection

• The angle of reflection equals the angle of incidence.
• Plane mirrors and convex mirrors reflect virtual, erect images. Concave mirrors reflect light to form real, inverted images or virtual, erect images, depending on the location of the object.
• Image distance, height, and other characteristics can be calculated using the lens/mirror equation and the magnification equation.

### 16.2Refraction

• The index of refraction for a material is given by the speed of light in a vacuum divided by the speed of light in that material.
• Snell’s law states the relationship between indices of refraction, the incident angle, and the angle of refraction.
• The critical angle, $θ c θ c$, determines whether total internal refraction can take place, and can be calculated according to .

### 16.3Lenses

• The characteristics of images formed by concave and convex lenses can be predicted using ray tracing. Characteristics include real versus virtual, inverted versus upright, and size.
• The human eye and corrective lenses can be explained using geometric optics.
• Characteristics of images formed by lenses can be calculated using the mirror/lens equation.