Geometric optics, lens equations, interference, diffraction, polarization, lasers and fiber optics.
35 cards · basic cards · AI-written, checked twice. Edit anything.
- State the law of reflection
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Angle of incidence equals angle of reflection, both measured from the normal- What is Snell's law?
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n1 sin(theta1) = n2 sin(theta2); relates angles of refraction at a boundary- Define the critical angle
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The minimum angle of incidence at which total internal reflection occurs- What happens at the critical angle?
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Refracted light travels along the interface at 90 degrees to the normal- Define refractive index
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Ratio of the speed of light in vacuum to its speed in a medium; n = c/v- What is chromatic dispersion?
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Different wavelengths of light travel at different speeds in a medium, causing separation- State the thin lens equation
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1/f = 1/do + 1/di; f is focal length, do and di are object and image distances- What is focal length?
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Distance from the lens center to the point where parallel rays converge or appear to diverge- Distinguish between converging and diverging lenses
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Converging lens has positive focal length and focuses parallel rays; diverging lens has negative focal length and spreads rays- Define lateral magnification for a lens
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m = -di/do = hi/ho; negative when image is inverted- State the lensmaker's equation
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1/f = (n-1)(1/R1 - 1/R2); relates focal length to radii of curvature and refractive index- What is spherical aberration?
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Optical defect where rays at different distances from the lens axis focus at different points- What condition produces constructive interference?
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Path difference equals m times wavelength, where m = 0, 1, 2, ... (integer multiple)- What condition produces destructive interference?
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Path difference equals (m + 1/2) times wavelength, where m = 0, 1, 2, ... (half-integer multiple)- What does Young's double slit experiment demonstrate?
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Light exhibits interference patterns from two coherent sources, showing its wave nature
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