Reflection, Absorption & Transmission (OCR GCSE Physics A (Gateway Science Suite)): Revision Notes

6.1.7 Reflexion, Absorption & Transmission

Interactions (Physics only)

Reflexion (Physics only)

• Waves will reflect off a flat surface
• The smoother the surface, the stronger the reflected wave is
• Rough surfaces scatter the light in all directions, so they appear matt and not reflective
• The angle of incidence = angle of reflexion
• Light will reflect if the object is opaque and is not absorbed by the material
  • The electrons will absorb the light energy, then reemit it as a reflected wave

Transmission (Physics only)

• Waves will pass through a transparent material
• The more transparent, the more light will pass through the material
• It can still refract, but the process of passing through the material and still emerging is transmission

Absorption (Physics only)

• If the frequency of light matches the energy levels of the electrons
  • The light will be absorbed by the electrons and not reemitted
  • They will be absorbed and then reemitted over time as heat
  • So that particular frequency has been absorbed