Interactions of Light with Matter

Chapter 3 Section 2

How does light travel?

In a straight line
unless it hits object or
is absorbed

What is reflection?
Light bouncing off an
object
Changes direction of
light
Like a ball bouncing
off ground

What is Law of Reflection?

Angle made by light hitting surface =
angle of light reflected

What are the types of

Reflection?
Regular reflection: light reflects off mirror at
same angle; surface smooth/ shiny mirror

What are the types of

Reflection?
Diffuse reflection: light
reflects in many
directions; surface
rough/bumpy wall;
cant see reflection

What are the types of

Reflection?
Regular
(Spectacular)

Diffuse

What are the light sources?

Luminous - object
produces visible light
Illuminated object
needs a separate light
source to be seen
Importance? Sight needs
light; to be seen must
either be luminous or be
illuminated

Interactions of Light with Matter

Chapter 3 Section 2 Part II

What is absorption of light?

Transfer of energy to
particles of matter
Explains why light
dims as it moves from
light source: more
particles absorb the
energy, making it
dimmer

What is scattering of light?

Light moving in all
directions after
colliding with particles
Fog is good example
Allows you to see
outside beam, but it
dims
Explains why sky is
blue: shorter wavelength is
scattered more than other colors,
so you see more of it

How does light interact with

matter?
Reflected bounces off
Transmitted passes
through matter; example
through a window
Absorbed transfer light
energy to matter; makes
object feel warmer
(next section) Refracted
wave is bent

How does transparent, translucent,

or opaque matter matter?
Transparent: easily
transmits visible light (air,
glass, H2O)
Translucent: transmits light
but also scatters it (wax
paper)
Opaque: doesnt transmit
light (metal, wood, textbook)

How is an objects color

determined?
Wavelength determines
Eyes receive light
Eyes send messages to
brain
Brain interprets signals
as colors
Long = red / short = violet
/ mixture of waves =
combination of colors

With opaque objects, how does

reflection and absorption impact
the color?
Light hits opaque
object:
Some waves
reflected, see that
color
Some absorbed,
dont see that color

How do we see a strawberry as

red?
Red wavelengths reflected; other colors
wavelengths absorbed

What makes something white?

All colors wavelengths are reflected

What makes something black?

All colors wavelengths are absorbed

What about color in non-opaque

objects?
Transparent: Colorless in white
light because all light waves pass
through (transmit). Think of glass
window.
Translucent: Shows color of
wavelength reflected or
transmitted; all others absorbed.
Think of stained glass.

How do pigments produce

color?
Pigment = material that absorbs some
colors of light and reflects other

What has pigment?

Pigment is in almost everything

What are two examples of

pigments?
Melanin = pigment for skin
color

Chlorophyll = plant color

What happens when pigments are

mixed?
Each pigment absorbs
at least 1 color
Mix pigments, more
colors are taken away;
color subtraction