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CH 33. The Nature and Propagation of Light: Liu UCD Phy9B 07 1

This document summarizes key concepts about the nature and propagation of light. It discusses how light has both wave and particle properties and travels at 3x10^8 m/s. Geometric optics uses a ray model to represent the path of light particles. Physical optics deals with light's wave behavior. Reflection and refraction follow laws like the angle of incidence equals the angle of reflection. The index of refraction determines how light slows down in a medium. Total internal reflection occurs when light passes from high to low index of refraction and can be used in applications like fiber optics. Dispersion is how the index of refraction depends on wavelength.

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59 views

CH 33. The Nature and Propagation of Light: Liu UCD Phy9B 07 1

This document summarizes key concepts about the nature and propagation of light. It discusses how light has both wave and particle properties and travels at 3x10^8 m/s. Geometric optics uses a ray model to represent the path of light particles. Physical optics deals with light's wave behavior. Reflection and refraction follow laws like the angle of incidence equals the angle of reflection. The index of refraction determines how light slows down in a medium. Total internal reflection occurs when light passes from high to low index of refraction and can be used in applications like fiber optics. Dispersion is how the index of refraction depends on wavelength.

Uploaded by

Jaskirat
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Ch 33.

The Nature and


Propagation of Light

Liu UCD Phy9B 07 1


33-1. Nature of Light

Light has both wave and particle properties

Particle-like: emission, absorption…

Wave-like: propagation, interference…

Speed of light c=2.9979x108 m/s ~ 3.0x108m/s

Liu UCD Phy9B 07 2


Geometric & Physical Optics
Ray: an imaginary line along the wave traveling direction
In a particle theory of light
Light travels in straight-line paths called light rays
Rays represent the paths of particles

Branch of optics dealing with ray model – geometric optics


wave behavior – physical optics

Liu UCD Phy9B 07 3


33-2. Reflection & Refraction
Angle of incidence θi
Angle of reflection θr

Law of reflection:
θi= θr

Diffusive reflection Specular reflection


Liu UCD Phy9B 07 4
Refraction
Index of refraction of a material:

n=c/v ≥1

c=3.0x108 m/s speed of light in vacuum


v: speed of light in the medium

Light frequency doesn’t change going


from one material to another
λ= λο/n
Higher n Vacuum & air: n=1.00
slower v Water n=1.33
smaller λ Glass n=~1.4-1.6
Liu UCD Phy9B 07 5
Law of Refraction

Snell’s Law

n1sinθ1=n2sinθ2

If n1 > n2, then θ1 < θ2

Liu UCD Phy9B 07 6


General Case: Across Interface of Two
Transparent Materials

Incident, reflected, refracted rays and the


normal to the surface all lie in the same plane.

Liu UCD Phy9B 07 7


33-3. Total Internal Reflection

nb<na

nb nb
sin θ C = sin 90° =
na na
When θ>θC, all lights are reflected, no refraction
Only happens when light goes from high n to low n material

Liu UCD Phy9B 07 8


Applications of Total Internal Reflection

Porro Prism Fiber Optics

Liu UCD Phy9B 07 9


33-4. Dispersion
n=c/v, depends on wavelength λ

Liu UCD Phy9B 07 10

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