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Unit 6: Waves, Sound, and Physical Optics

AP Physics 2: Algebra-Based — Note Packet

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Key Terms

Refraction

The ___ of light when it passes from one transparent medium into another, due to a change in ____________.

Index of Refraction (n)

A measure of how much a medium ___ down light. A higher 'n' means light slows down ____________.

Snell's Law

The legendary law that quantifies light's bending: n1 sinθ1 = ___ sinθ2. Angles are measured with respect to the ____________.

Total Internal Reflection (TIR)

Occurs when light tries to go from a ___ dense medium (higher 'n') to a ____________ dense medium (lower 'n') and hits the boundary at an angle ____________ than the critical angle.

Converging Lenses

Lenses (like ___) that take parallel light rays and bring them to a single point called the ____________ point. They have a ____________ focal length.

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