In which area of physics might you encounter questions about lenses and mirrors on the OAT?

Lenses and mirrors are fundamental components of optical systems, and the study of their behavior falls under the branch of physics known as optics. This area focuses on the properties and behavior of light, including how it interacts with various materials, how it can be manipulated, and how images are formed.

Optics involves concepts such as reflection, refraction, and the formation of images by concave and convex lenses and mirrors. Questions related to the laws governing these interactions, the calculation of focal lengths, and the understanding of optical instruments are all integral parts of this subject matter. In contrast, thermodynamics pertains to heat and energy transfer, electromagnetism deals with electric and magnetic fields, and kinematics focuses on motion without regard to the forces that cause it. Therefore, optics is clearly the relevant field for questions about lenses and mirrors.