Target

Light, commonly refers to as electromagnetic radiation that can be detected

by the human eye. Visible light is not inherently different from the other parts of the
electromagnetic spectrum, with the exception that the human eye can detect visible
waves. This in fact corresponds to only a very narrow window of the electromagnetic
spectrum, ranging from about 400 nm for violet light through to 700 nm for red
light.
It is no accident that humans can ‘see’ light. Light is our primary means of
perceiving the world around us. Indeed, in a scientific context, the detection of light
is a very powerful tool for probing the universe around us. As light interacts with
matter it can be become altered, and by studying light that has originated or
interacted with matter, many of the properties of that matter can be determined. It
is through the study of light that, for example, we can understand the composition
of stars and galaxies that are many light years away or watch in real time the
microscopic physiological processes that occur within living cells.
In this learning material we will unravel the mysteries of light and how does
it interact to matter. You will learn some of the properties of light that explains
natural phenomena that we usually observe.
After going through this Learning Material, you are expected to:
1. Solve problems involving reflection, refraction, dispersion, and polarization in
contexts such as, but not limited to, (polarizing) sunglasses, atmospheric
haloes, and rainbows STEM_GP12OPTIVc-21
2. Explain image formation as an application of reflection, refraction, and
paraxial approximation STEM_GP12OPTIVd-22
3. Relate properties of mirrors and lenses (radii of curvature, focal length, index
of refraction (for lenses) to image and object distance and sizes
STEM_GP12OPTIVd-23
 Module
PROPERTIES OF LIGHT
4
Jumpstart

Life is only a reflection of what we allow ourselves to see.

Mirror Mirror on the Wall!

Direction: Look at your image in front of a mirror and answer the following
questions. Use a separate sheet of paper for your answer.
1. How do you describe the orientation of your image formed?

2. How do you describe the size of your image formed?

 Discover

Optics is the study of light and its properties. Because of its dual nature,
there are two models for light: a ray and a wave. A ray is a straight-line segment with
an arrow on one end indicating the direction in which light is traveling. Properties
that are explained using the ray approximation for light fall under geometric or ray
optics. Properties that consider light as a wave are the realm of physical or wave
optics. Speed of light, rectilinear propagation, reflection, and refraction are under
geometric optics. Interference, diffraction, and polarization fall under wave optics.

LESSON REFLECTION AND

1 REFRACTION
When light is incident on a surface, it may be reflected, transmitted, refracted,
scattered or absorbed. A transparent body allows light to pass through it. A
translucent body scatters the light passing through it so that objects behind it are
not clearly seen. An opaque body does not transmit light at all. Clear water, air, and
a clear glass are transparent. Frosted glass is translucent, the human body, stones,
and wood are opaque.

Reflection
Reflection is the bouncing back of light when it strikes a reflecting surface.
The ray that strikes the surface is called the incident ray. The ray that rebounds
from the surface is called the reflected ray. A line perpendicular to the surface at the
point of incidence is called the normal. The angle between the incident ray and the
normal is called the angle of incidence, this is represented as θ i. The angle between
the reflected ray and the normal is called the angle of reflection, represented as θ r.

The law of reflection states that the angle of reflection equals the angle of
incidence. The angles are measured relative to the normal that is an imaginary line
that is perpendicular to the surface at the point where the ray strikes the surface.
Mirrors
A mirror is not necessarily a silvered plate of glass. It is any surface that is
smooth enough to produce regular reflection of light incident upon it. There are two
types of mirror: plane mirror and spherical mirror. A plane mirror is one with flat
surface. A spherical mirror is a mirror whose reflecing surface is taken from the
surface of a sphere. A spherical mirror maybe concave or convex.

(a) When a sheet of paper is illuminated with many parallel incident rays, it can be
seen at many different angles, because its surface is rough and diffuses the light. (b)
A mirror illuminated by many parallel rays reflects them in only one direction, because
its surface is very smooth. Only the observer at a particular angle sees the reflected
light. (c) Moonlight is spread out when it is reflected by the lake, because the surface
is shiny but uneven. (credit c: modification of work by Diego Torres Silvestre)
Real and Virtual Images
A real image has the following properties:
1. It is formed by actual intersection of light rays after encountering a mirror. A
real image is formed in front of the mirror.
2. It can be projected on a screen.
3. It is always inverted.
A virtual image has the following properties:
1. No light passes at the apparent location of the image. The apparent location
of the image is found by extending the reflected rays until they intersect. A
Virtual image is formed at the back of the mirror.
2. It cannot be focused on a screen.
3. It is always upright.
When you see yourself in a mirror it appears that the image is behind the
mirror. We see the light coming from a direction determined by the law of reflection.
The angles are such that the image is the same distance behind the mirror as you
stand in front of the mirror. If the mirror is on the wall of a room, the images in it
are all behind the mirror, which can make the room seem bigger. Although these
mirror images make objects appear to be where they cannot be (like behind a solid
wall), the images are not figments of your imagination. Mirror images can be
photographed and videotaped by instruments and look just as they do with our eyes.
The precise way images are formed by mirrors and lenses is discussed in an
upcoming chapter on Geometric Optics and Image Formation.

Your image in a mirror is behind the mirror. The two rays shown are those that strike
the mirror at just the correct angles to be reflected into the eyes of the person. The
image appears to be behind the mirror at the same distance away as (b) if you were
looking at your twin directly, with no mirror.

Refraction
Refraction is the change in the direction of light when it passes from one
medium to another of different optical density. Optical density should not be
confused with the mass density. Optical density has something to do with the
transparency of a substance to light. Light travels slowly in an optically dense
substance.

The change in direction of a light ray depends on how the index of refraction changes
when it crosses from one medium to another. In the situations shown here, the index
of refraction is greater in medium 2 than in medium 1. (a) A ray of light moves closer
to the perpendicular when entering a medium with a higher index of refraction. (b) A
ray of light moves away from the perpendicular when entering a medium with a lower
index of refraction.
Image Formation by Spherical Lenses

Concave Lenses
For any distance from the lens, the image formed by a concave lens is virtual,
upright, smaller than the object, and located on the same side of the lens as the
object.

Photo credits to www.toppr.com/guides/science/light/images-formed-by-lenses/

Convex Lenses

Photo credits to www.quora.com/What-are-the-properties-of-an-image-formed-by-a-convex-

lens

It should be noted that concave lenses form the same kind of image as convex
mirrors. On the other hand, convex lenses form the same kinds of image as concave
mirrors.
 LESSON DISPERSION AND
2 POLARIZATION
We see about six colors in a rainbow—red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and
violet; sometimes indigo is listed, too. These colors are associated with different
wavelengths of light. When our eye receives pure-wavelength light, we tend to see
only one of the six colors, depending on wavelength. The thousands of other hues
we can sense in other situations are our eye’s response to various mixtures of
wavelengths.

White light is a uniform mixture of all visible wavelengths. Sunlight,

considered to be white, appears to be a bit yellow, because of its mixture of
wavelengths, but it does contain all visible wavelengths. This implies that white light
is spread out in a rainbow according to wavelength. Dispersion is defined as the
spreading of white light into its full spectrum of wavelengths. More technically,
dispersion occurs whenever the propagation of light depends on wavelength.

Refraction is responsible for dispersion in rainbows and many other

situations. The angle of refraction depends on the index of refraction, as we know
from Snell’s law. We know that the index of refraction n depends on the medium.
But for a given medium, n also depends on wavelength. Note that for a given
medium, n increases as wavelength decreases and is greatest for violet light. Thus,
violet light is bent more than red light. White light is dispersed into the same
sequence of wavelengths.
(a) A pure wavelength of light falls onto a prism and is refracted at both surfaces. (b)
White light is dispersed by the prism (shown exaggerated). Since the index of refraction
varies with wavelength, the angles of refraction vary with wavelength. A sequence of
red to violet is produced, because the index of refraction increases steadily with
decreasing wavelength.

Sample Problem
Dispersion of White Light by Crown Glass
A beam of white light goes from air into crown glass at an incidence angle of
43.2°. What is the angle between the red (660 nm) and violet (410 nm) parts of the
refracted light?

Although 0.6° may seem like a negligibly small angle, if this beam can
propagate a long enough distance, the dispersion of colors becomes quite noticeable.
Color Addition for Lights

Color addition is the process of producing other colors by mixing suitable

portions of the primary colors of light. The primary colors of light are red, blue, and
green.
Red + Blue + Green = White
All other colors produced by mixing suitable portions of primary colors are
called secondary. For example,

Red + Blue = Magenta

Red + Green = Yellow

Blue + Green = Cyan

A color triangle is a triangular

arrangement of primary and secondary colors.
The primary colors are at the corners, while the
secondary colors are at the sides. All in our
discussion of colors, we will be using the following
representation:

R – Red G – Green B – Blue W- White

Y – Yellow C – Cyan M – Magenta

The two primary colors at the corners, when added, give the secondary color
at the side. Colors opposite each other are complementary. Complementary colors,
when added, produce white. Magenta and green, blue, and yellow, and cyan and red
are complementary colors. Using color addition,
M + G = (B + R) + G = W
B + Y = B + (R + G) = W
C + R = (B + G) + R = W
Color addition has important applications in color television and colored
computer monitors and stage lighting of theaters.

Polarization

The property of wave that distinguishes transverse waves from longitudinal

waves is Polarization. Only transverse waves can be polarized, it is said that
transverse wave can be plane polarized if its vibrations are confined to one direction.
This direction is known as vibration direction.
An EM wave, such as light, is a transverse wave. The electric (E⃗)(E→) and
magnetic (B⃗)(B→) fields are perpendicular to the direction of propagation. The
direction of polarization of the wave is the direction of the electric field.

The concept of polarization may be better understood by using a rope analogy.

Consider a rope one end of a rope tied on a wall and the other end held by the hand.
Shaking the rope up and down will generate transverse waves along the rope,
causing the rope to vibrate in a vertical direction. The waves generated are said to
be vertically planes- polarized. Shaking the rope sideways generates horizontally
plane-polarized waves.

The transverse oscillations in one rope (a) are in a vertical plane, and those in the other
rope (b) are in a horizontal plane. The first is said to be vertically polarized, and the
other is said to be horizontally polarized. Vertical slits pass vertically polarized waves
and block horizontally polarized waves.

Sunlight and other forms of natural and artificial illumination produce

unpolarized light. However, light is an electromagnetic wave. All electromagnetic
waves are transverse waves. Therefore, light can be polarized. There are several ways
to produce polarized light such as polarization by reflection, double refraction,
selective absorption and scattering.
Polarization by Reflection

Unpolarized light has equal amounts of vertical and horizontal polarization.

After interaction with a surface, the vertical components are preferentially absorbed
or refracted, leaving the reflected light more horizontally polarized. This is akin to
arrows striking on their sides and bouncing off, whereas arrows striking on their
tips go into the surface.

Since the part of the light that is not reflected is refracted, the amount of
polarization depends on the indices of refraction of the media involved. It can be
shown that reflected light is completely polarized at an angle of reflection θb given by

where n1 is the medium in which the incident and reflected light travel and n2 is the
index of refraction of the medium that forms the interface that reflects the light. This
equation is known as Brewster’s law and θb is known as Brewster’s angle, named
after the nineteenth-century Scottish physicist who discovered them.
Sample Problem

(a) At what angle will light traveling in air be completely polarized horizontally when
reflected from water? (b) From glass?
 Explore

Here are some enrichment activities for you to work on to master and
strengthen the basic concepts you have learned from this lesson.

Enrichment Activity: Problem Solving

Directions: For the problem solving part of the lesson, use the Rubric as your guide
in answering. The rubric shall be used by the teacher in checking your answer. Use
a separate sheet of paper for your answers. Good luck!

Dispersion of White Light by Water

A beam of white light goes from air into the water droplet at an incidence
angle of 36.2 degrees. What is the angle between the red (660 nm) and violet (410
nm) parts of the refracted light?

At what angle of incidence is light completely polarized after reflection from a

surface of water? What is the corresponding angle of refraction? Assume that light
is incident from air. The n of water =1.33.
 Rubric for Problem Solving

Criteria &
5 4 3 2 1
Rating
Strategic Approach Valid approach Valid approach Invalid Little or no
Approach (S) chosen is with minor with multiple approach that understanding
clearly shown, errors that errors that demonstrates of how to
clearly written don’t disrupt impede little approach the
& all elements understanding. understanding. understanding problem.
are valid. of the problem.
Physics Appropriate Appropriate Appropriate At least one Little or no
Concepts (P) concepts that concepts that concepts concept understanding
are fully are mostly identified, but identified but of physics
understood understood but not employed unable to concepts.
(symmetries, employed with or understood. demonstrate
conserved errors. understanding.
quantities,
etc.), clearly
stated &
employed
correctly.

Mathematical Correct Correct Correct Can identify at Incorrect

Concepts (M) starting starting starting least one equations;
equations; All equations. All equations. The equation, but demonstrates
mathematical mathematical mathematical unable to little or no
steps are steps are steps are hard apply them. understanding
clearly shown clearly shown to follow and of
and they flow but minor errors begin to mathematical
easily toward errors yield impede concepts
the correct wrong answer. application. involved.
answer.

Answer (A) 100% correct Correct answer Incorrect Unable to No answer.

answer – analytically answer, but on reach a correct
analytically (IA), but not the right path. answer on this
(IA) numerically path.
numerically (If (IA).
any) &
conceptually
(IA).

Great job! You have understood the lesson.

Are you now ready to summarize?
 Deepen

Color Your World

Direction: Answer the following questions applying the concept learned from this
learning material. Use the Rubric on the next page as your guide in answering. Use
separate sheets for your answers.
1. What will be the color of a sheet of paper containing red pigment when yellow
light shines on it? What will be the color of a sheet of paper containing blue
pigment when yellow light shines on it?

2. Why is water appeared to be as greenish blue?

3. Why is the color of the sky blue?

 Rubric for Essay

Exemplary Good Fair Poor

Criteria Score
5 4 3 2
Written
Written Written
response Response
response response
addresses lacks any
addresses addresses essay
1. Content essay Comprehensio
essay question acceptably
acceptably n of the essay
very question very
question very question.
satisfactorily satisfactorily.
satisfactorily.
Response Response lacks Response
Response is
lacks any any lacks any
unfocused,
2. Clarity comprehensio comprehension comprehensio
illogical or
n of the essay of the essay n of the essay
incoherent
question. question. question.
Response is
Response is Response is Response is
fairly
well organized organized and disorganized
3. organized and
and developed developed with and
Organizatio developed,
with general underdevelope
n and presenting
appropriate supporting d, providing
Developmen generalization
support to ideas provided little or no
t of Ideas s without
make meaning (reasons/gener relevant
adequate
clear. al examples). support.
support
4. Grammar, Response is Response has
Response has 3 Response has
Usage and free from any more than 5
or less errors. 4-5 errors.
Mechanics errors. errors.
Total Score
 Gauge

Completing the Table

Direction: Supply the table below with the needed information to complete the table.
Use a separate sheet of paper for your answers.

Object Position Image Position Type of Image

At Infinity At F 1.
2. Between F and 2F Real, inverted, and
smaller
3. At 2F 4.
Between F and 2F 5. 6.
At F At Infinity 7.
8. Infront of lens Virtual, upright, bigger

9-10 What would you get if you mix M, Y, and C lights?

11-15 Consider an opaque body capable of absorbing blue light and illuminated by
(a) white light and (b) magenta light. What will be its color for each case?
ANSWER KEY
References

Published
Angelina A. Silverio, 2007, Exploring Life through Science PHYSICS
Philippines, Phoenix Publishing House, pp. 272-273

Websites
What is light? - an overview of the properties of light. (n.d.). Retrieved
February 25, 2021, from
https://andor.oxinst.com/learning/view/article/what-is-light

1.7 Polarization - University Physics Volume 3 | OpenStax. (n.d.). Openstax.

Retrieved February 25, 2021, from
https://openstax.org/books/university-physics-volume-3/pages/1-
7-polarization

A discussion about rainbow, Retrieved February 25, 2021, from

https://www.shimadzu.com/an/service