One Beam of Light

Basic Physics

A beam of light is defined as: a ray or collection of parallel rays emitted from the sun or other luminous body.

Reflection

Diagram of Reflection

noun

  • the throwing back by a body or surface of light, heat, or sound without absorbing it.

Refraction

Diagram of Refraction

noun

  • the fact or phenomenon of light, radio waves, etc. being deflected in passing obliquely through the interface between one medium and another or through a medium of varying density.
  • change in direction of propagation of any wave as a result of its travelling at different speeds at different points along the wave front. the throwing back by a body or surface of light, heat, or sound without absorbing it.

Dispersion

Diagram of Dispersion

noun

  • Visible light is made up of different colors. Each color bends by a different amount when refracted by glass. Visible light is split, or dispersed into different colors when it passes through a lens or prism. Shorter wavelengths, like purple and blue light, bend the most. Longer wavelengths, like red and orange light, bend the least.

Diffraction

Diagram of Diffraction

noun

  • the process by which a beam of light or other system of waves is spread out as a result of passing through a narrow aperture or across an edge, typically accompanied by interference between the wave forms produced.

Polarisation

Diagram of Polarisation

noun

  • restriction of the vibrations of (a transverse wave, especially light) wholly or partially to one direction.

Diffusion

Diagram of Diffusion

noun

  • the action of spreading the light from a light source evenly to reduce glare and harsh shadows.

Transmission

Diagram of Transmission

noun

  • the action or process of transmitting something or the state of being transmitted.

Interference

Diagram of Interference

noun

  • the combination of two or more electromagnetic waveforms to form a resultant wave in which the displacement is either reinforced or cancelled.

Colour Filter

Diagram of Colour Filters

noun

  • A thin layer of coloured gelatine, glass, etc., that transmits light of certain colours or wavelengths but considerably reduces the transmission of others

Shadow

Diagram of Shadow

noun

  • A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface

Silhouette

Diagram of Silhouette

noun

  • A silhouette is the image of a person, an object or scene represented as a solid shape of a single color, usually black, its edges matching the outline of the subject. The interior of a silhouette is basically featureless, and the whole is typically presented on a light background, usually white, or none at all.