Light and Optics

10 Science glossary terms

This is a glossary about the words that we learned in science related to light and optics in this term.

Illuminance

noun

The amount of luminous flux per unit area.

Example: The illuminence in my street it's very low.

pt_br: Iluminância

Light

Noun

Electromagnetic radiation that can be detected by human eyes.

Example: My computer has a strong light that sometimes hurts my eyes.

pt_br: Luz

Opaque

Adjective

Not allows light to pass through.

Example: We can't see through my bathroom's window because the glass is opaque.

pt_br: Opaco/Opaca

Penumbra

noun

The partially shaded outer region of the shadow cast by an opaque object.

Example: The shadow of a planet or the moon during the eclipse is called a penumbra.

pt_br: Penumbra

Reflection

noun

The return of light or sound waves from a surface.

Example: I was looking at my reflection in the mirror.

pt_br: Reflexo

Refraction

noun

Change in direction of light as it travels from one material to another.

Example: Reflection is observed with surface waves in bodies of water.

pt_br: Refração

Shadow

noun

A dark shape that is formed when an object blocks a source of light.

Example: I walk at the street at night when it's dark and there's always a shadow following me.

pt_br: Sombra

Translucent

Adjective

Object that let some light pass through.

Example: I can see just the outline of people through the translucent glass.

pt_br: Translúcido/Translúcida

Transparent

Adjective

Objects that allow light to pass through

Example: This ocean is so transparent that I can see the ground.

pt_br: Transparente

Umbra

noun

The fully shaded region of a shade.

Example: Umbra is the inner core shadow of Earth.

pt_br: Umbra