1. Light and Optics Mirrors form images by reflecting light.

2. Optics  Optics is the study of visible light and the ways in which visible light interacts with the eye to produce vision.  Optics is also the application of knowledge about visible light to develop eyeglasses, mirrors, magnifying lenses, cameras, and lasers – these can extend vision or use light in different ways.

3. Mirrors use regular reflection Light travels in straight lines. Light travels in straight lines. Light rays bounce off objects in a very predictable way. Light rays bounce off objects in a very predictable way. If the light from a flashlight strikes a mirror, the angle is called the angle of incidence. If the light from a flashlight strikes a mirror, the angle is called the angle of incidence. The angle at which the rays reflect off the mirror is called the angle of reflection. The angle at which the rays reflect off the mirror is called the angle of reflection. Both angles are the same degree of measure. Both angles are the same degree of measure.

4. Law of Reflection  The law of reflection states that the angle of reflection equals the angle of incidence.  Ex: If the angle of incidence is 60 o then the angle of reflection will be 60 o.  Regular reflection – reflection of parallel light rays all in the same direction.  Diffuse reflection – reflection of parallel light rays in many different directions.

5. Flat mirrors and images  An image is a picture of an object formed by waves of light.  In a flat mirror your image looks just like you – same size, same clothes, everything the same.  However, if you raise your right hand, the “image” will appear to raise the left hand. This is because it is as if the “image” is a person facing you.

6. Concave Mirrors  Concave Mirrors are curved inward toward the center (like the inside of a spoon).  Parallel light rays reflecting off a concave mirror move toward each other, then cross each other to move apart again.  Images in this type of mirror can appear larger, smaller, or even upside down depending on the curve of the mirror’s surface.

7. Convex Mirrors  Convex Mirrors are curved outward (like the bottom of a spoon).  In this type of mirror, parallel light rays move away from each other.  The image in a convex mirror appears smaller.