Ray of Light : The direction or path along which light energy travels in a medium is called a ray of light. It is represented by a straight line with an arrow marked on it.
Beam of Light : A group of light rays is called a beam of light.
Types of beams of light : A beam of light may be parallel, convergent or divergent, as shown in fig.
The rays from a distant light source (such as the sun) are parallel to each other, they constitute a parallel beam.
- In a convergent beam, the rays proceed towards a point.
- In a divergent beam, the rays proceed away from a point.