Light and Geometrical Optics

Question 1

Electromagnetic wave

Answer 1

An oscillating electric charge
Composed of oscillating electric and magnetic fields
Do not need a material medium to propogate

Question 2

Direction of polarization of the wave

Answer 2

The direction in which the wave’s electric field oscillates

Question 3

Speed of light in vacuum

Answer 3

c=3x10^8 m/s

Question 4

Photon energy

Answer 4

E=hf=f(c/lambda)

Question 5

Law of reflection

Answer 5

The angle of reflection is equal to the angle of incidence

Question 6

Angle of refraction

Answer 6

The angle that the transmitted (or refracted) ray makes with the line thats perpendicular to the plane of interface between the two media

Question 7

Index of refraction

Answer 7

Tells us how much slower light travels through that medium that through empty space

Question 8

If n1>n2, then theta 1 < theta 2

Answer 8

The ray will bend towards the normal

Question 9

If n1 theta 2

Answer 9

The ray will bend away from the normal

Question 10

Total internal reflection

Answer 10

All of the incident ray’s energy will be reflected back into its original medium; there will be no refracted ray

Question 11

Diffraction

Answer 11

Redistribution of waves intensity

Question 12

Polarized light

Answer 12

Light whose direction of polarization has been restricted somehow

Question 13

Dispersion

Answer 13

Variation in wave speed for different frequencies

Question 14

Focal point

Answer 14

Halfway to the center of curvature

Question 15

Center of curvature

Answer 15

The center of the sphere that the mirror is “cut” from

Question 16

Focal length

Answer 16

The distance from the mirror to the focal point

f = (1/2)r