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8.03 Reflection & Refraction Practice Quiz

Master Essential Light Concepts Through Practice

Difficulty: Moderate
Grade: Other
Study OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art for trivia game Reflect, Refract, Review for high school physics students.

Easy
What is the law of reflection?
The angle of incidence is equal to the angle of reflection.
The sum of the angles of incidence and reflection is 90°.
The angle of reflection is always zero.
The angle of incidence is double the angle of reflection.
The law of reflection states that the angle at which light strikes a surface is equal to the angle at which it reflects off that surface. This fundamental principle underlies the behavior of light in mirrors and smooth surfaces.
Which type of surface produces a clear reflection?
A diffused, matte finish surface.
A smooth, polished surface.
A porous, textured surface.
A rough, uneven surface.
A smooth, polished surface allows light rays to reflect in a uniform direction, thereby producing a clear image. In contrast, rough surfaces scatter light in multiple directions, leading to a blurred reflection.
What does the index of refraction (n) indicate in a medium?
It indicates the absorptive quality of the medium.
It measures the intensity of the reflected light.
It measures the ratio of the speed of light in a vacuum to its speed in the medium.
It defines the degree of light polarization.
The index of refraction is defined as n = c/v, where c is the speed of light in a vacuum and v is its speed in the medium. It quantifies how much the light slows down in the medium compared to the vacuum.
Which phenomenon occurs when light passes from one medium to another and changes direction?
Reflection.
Interference.
Diffraction.
Refraction.
Refraction is the bending of light as it passes from one medium into another due to a change in its speed. This principle is encapsulated in Snell's Law.
What is total internal reflection?
The phenomenon when light is completely reflected within a medium because it strikes the boundary at an angle greater than the critical angle.
The condition when light is partially absorbed at the interface.
The process by which light splits into spectral colors.
The effect of light being refracted without any reflection.
Total internal reflection occurs when light traveling within a denser medium hits the boundary with a less dense medium at an angle greater than the critical angle. Under these circumstances, all the light is reflected back into the medium, with none transmitted.
Medium
Using Snell's Law (n₝ sin θ₝ = n₂ sin θ₂), if light travels from air (n=1.00) to water (n=1.33) with an incident angle of 30°, what is the approximate refraction angle in water?
22°
30°
45°
15°
By applying Snell's Law, we find sin θ₂ = (1.00/1.33) - sin 30°, which gives sin θ₂ ≈ 0.376. Taking the inverse sine yields an angle of approximately 22°, demonstrating how light bends when entering water from air.
Why do objects underwater appear closer to the surface than they actually are?
Because refraction alters the apparent position of objects.
Because light speeds up in water.
Due to increased reflection at the water's surface.
Due to absorption of light by water.
Refraction causes light rays to bend when passing from water to air, leading to a displacement between the actual and the perceived position of underwater objects. This optical illusion makes objects appear closer to the surface.
How does a concave mirror differ from a convex mirror in terms of image formation?
Both mirrors always form virtual images.
Both mirrors form images that are always identical in nature.
A concave mirror can produce real and inverted images, while a convex mirror produces virtual and diminished images.
A convex mirror can produce real images, whereas a concave mirror only produces virtual images.
Concave mirrors converge light rays and can form real, inverted images when the object is placed at certain distances. Convex mirrors, however, always form virtual, upright, and reduced images due to their diverging nature.
What is the primary function of a lens in an optical instrument?
To reflect light and produce a mirror image.
To refract light, converging or diverging rays to form an image.
To polarize light waves.
To block unwanted wavelengths of light.
Lenses work by refracting light - that is, bending light rays as they pass through the lens. This property allows lenses to either converge or diverge light to form clear images in devices such as cameras, microscopes, and telescopes.
For a convex lens with a focal length of 10 cm, where will the image be formed if an object is placed 20 cm from the lens?
5 cm on the opposite side of the lens.
20 cm on the opposite side of the lens.
40 cm on the opposite side of the lens.
10 cm on the same side of the lens.
By applying the thin lens equation (1/f = 1/d' + 1/dᵢ), substituting f = 10 cm and d' = 20 cm yields an image distance (dᵢ) of 20 cm. This confirms that the image appears on the opposite side of the lens at 20 cm from it.
Which type of mirror is typically used in car side-view mirrors for a wider field of view?
Concave mirror.
Parabolic mirror.
Convex mirror.
Plane mirror.
Convex mirrors are designed to curve outward, which causes them to capture a wider field of view compared to flat or concave mirrors. This makes them ideal for applications like car side-view mirrors.
What is the term for the minimum incidence angle at which total internal reflection occurs?
Critical angle.
Incident angle.
Angle of deviation.
Reflection angle.
The critical angle is the threshold incidence angle above which total internal reflection takes place. It is the minimum angle at which all light is reflected back into the medium when transitioning from a denser to a rarer medium.
When light passes from a denser medium to a less dense medium, how does its speed change?
It increases.
It first increases then decreases.
It decreases.
It remains constant.
Light travels faster in a less dense medium because the optical density is lower. This results in an increase in speed when light moves from a denser medium to a rarer one.
Which optical device commonly utilizes the principle of refraction to correct vision?
Eyeglasses.
Concave mirrors.
Flat mirrors.
Fiber optic cables.
Eyeglasses consist of lenses that refract incoming light to adjust the focal point on the retina, thereby correcting vision. This application of refraction is essential in compensating for refractive errors such as myopia or hyperopia.
What is dispersion of light?
The separation of white light into its component colors.
The absorption of light in a medium.
The bending of light at a glass surface.
The combination of different colors into white light.
Dispersion occurs because different wavelengths of light refract at slightly different angles as they pass through a medium. This phenomenon separates white light into a spectrum of colors, as observed in prisms.
Hard
A ray of light travels from glass (n = 1.5) to water (n = 1.33) at an angle of incidence of 40° in the glass. Will the ray bend toward or away from the normal once it enters the water?
It remains parallel to the normal.
Away from the normal.
It does not bend.
Toward the normal.
When light travels from a medium with a higher refractive index (glass) to a lower one (water), it speeds up and bends away from the normal. This behavior is well explained by Snell's Law.
In a concave mirror, as an object moves from a position beyond the center of curvature to a position between the center and the focal point, how does the image change?
The image becomes virtual and erect.
The image changes from magnified to reduced, remaining erect.
The image changes from reduced and real to magnified and real, remaining inverted.
The image remains the same size and orientation.
For a concave mirror, when an object is placed beyond the center of curvature, the image is real, inverted, and reduced. As the object moves closer (but still outside the focal point), the image becomes magnified while still remaining real and inverted.
How is the optical power of a lens related to its focal length?
It is inversely proportional; a shorter focal length means a higher optical power.
It increases directly with the focal length.
It remains constant regardless of the focal length.
It is proportional to the square of the focal length.
The optical power of a lens is defined as the reciprocal of its focal length (P = 1/f). This inverse relationship means that as the focal length decreases, the optical power increases.
A light ray strikes a flat mirror at an incidence angle of 50°. What is the angle of reflection?
100°
40°
50°
According to the law of reflection, the angle of reflection is equal to the angle of incidence. Therefore, with an incidence angle of 50°, the reflection angle is also 50°.
When a beam of white light passes through a prism, why does it split into its constituent colors?
Interference between light waves.
Multiple reflections within the prism.
Polarization of light.
Different wavelengths are refracted by different amounts (dispersion).
The splitting of white light into a spectrum of colors occurs because different wavelengths are bent by different amounts as they pass through the prism - a phenomenon known as dispersion. This causes each color to emerge at a slightly different angle.
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Study Outcomes

  1. Understand the laws of reflection and refraction.
  2. Apply Snell's law to solve refraction problems.
  3. Analyze ray diagrams to determine image properties.
  4. Evaluate the impact of different media on light speed and direction.
  5. Predict how light behaves when encountering various optical interfaces.

8.03 Reflection & Refraction Cheat Sheet

  1. Law of Reflection - When light hits a shiny surface, it bounces off at the exact same angle it arrived, measured from an imaginary perpendicular line called the normal. This simple rule explains how mirrors create perfect images (and why your selfie looks the way it does!). Mastering this will have you reflecting on reflections in no time. Reflection and Refraction
  2. Snell's Law - Light bends when it passes from one medium into another, and Snell's Law tells you exactly how much: n₝ sin θ₝ = n₂ sin θ₂. Whether you're calculating how a straw looks broken in a glass of water or designing a fancy lens, this law is your go‑to bending formula. Get the full scoop on angles and indices here. Snell's Law
  3. Total Internal Reflection - When light travels from a denser medium into a less dense one and hits past a certain "critical angle," it doesn't exit - it reflects entirely back inside! This phenomenon is the secret sauce behind fiber‑optic cables and dazzling diamond sparkles. Dive deeper into how light plays keep‑in‑side. Snell's Law, Reflection, and Refraction
  4. Critical Angle - The critical angle is the smallest angle of incidence at which total internal reflection kicks in, calculated by θc = sin❻¹(n₂/n₝) when n₝ > n₂. Think of it as the "do not pass" line for escaping light! Knowing this angle helps you predict when light will stay trapped inside glass or water. Snell's Law, Reflection, and Refraction
  5. Index of Refraction - Defined as n = c/v, this number tells you how much light slows down in a material compared to a vacuum. A higher index means greater bending and slower light - perfect for understanding why diamonds sparkle more than glass. Explore how different materials tweak the speed of light. 16.2 Refraction - Physics | OpenStax
  6. Dispersion - White light is actually a mix of colors, and dispersion happens when each wavelength refracts by a slightly different amount. That rainbow you see in a prism or after a rain shower? Pure dispersion magic. Learn why red, green, and violet each take their own angled journey. 16.2 Refraction - Physics | OpenStax
  7. Lens & Mirror Equations - The thin‑lens/mirror formula (1/f = 1/do + 1/di) and magnification equation (M = - di/do) let you predict where images form and how big they appear. Whether you're building a telescope or just adjusting your glasses, these nifty equations are your best friends. Check out the key formulas to stay on focus! Ch. 16 Key Equations - Physics | OpenStax
  8. Specular vs. Diffuse Reflection - Smooth surfaces give specular reflection, sending light rays off in uniform directions and preserving clear images (hello, mirror!). Rough surfaces scatter light in all directions - that's diffuse reflection - so you see a matte finish instead of a crisp reflection. Good to know when choosing paint or polish! Reflection and Refraction
  9. Fermat's Principle - Light always takes the path that requires the least time, which elegantly explains both reflection and refraction as time‑minimizing adventures. It's like light is eternally trying to beat the clock in a cosmic race. This principle underlies everything from simple mirrors to complex lens systems. Reflection and Refraction
  10. Optical Fibers - By exploiting total internal reflection inside super‑thin glass strands, optical fibers transmit light - and tons of data - over long distances with almost no loss. This tech is the backbone of high‑speed internet, cable TV, and even medical endoscopes. Discover how beams of light power our connected world. Snell's Law, Reflection, and Refraction
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