How does light work?
Light travels in waves called transverse waves which are made of an atom called photons. If you were to look at a blue wall photons will travel to that wall then absorb into it. When absorbed the proton loses the colours it carried in the colour spectrum and bounces back the colour blue. Light travels at a speed of 300,000,000 m/s which is just under 1,000,000 times faster than the speed of sound. |
Reflection:
Reflection is when light reflects off a surface. If you were to shine light at a mirror the light would bounce off the mirror and change direction. If you were to place an object in front of a mirror photons will travel to the mirror and then mirror absorbs the photons after finally readmitting it out giving a reflection of the object you placed in front of the mirror. |
Refraction:
When a light beam reaches a transparent subject, like water or a glass/plastic block, at an angle the light not only slows down but also bends due to process called refraction. As the beam of light enters the transparent object the lower portion is slowed down once hitting the surface while the upper portion is pivoting at the speed of light till it also hits the surface. They travel in this direction till the light then escapes doing the same on the other side and leaving in the same direction it had entered. |