Optics and Wave Phenomena

Question 1

Define phase velocity

Answer 1

Question 2

Wave speed on a string

Answer 2

Question 3

Speed of sound in fluid

Answer 3

Question 4

Speed of sound in an ideal gas

Answer 4

Question 5

Doppler effect for sound

Answer 5

(positive velocities for approaching)

Question 6

Doppler effect for light

Answer 6

Question 7

Index of refraction

Answer 7

Question 8

Snell’s Law

Answer 8

Question 9

Critical angle for total internal reflection

Answer 9

Question 10

Wavelength in medium

Answer 10

Question 11

Types of polarization

Answer 11

• Linear: E field oscillates along a line
• Circular: E field draws out a circle in angle / magnitude space parametrized by time
• Elliptical: Same as for circular, but draws an ellipse

Question 12

Malus’s Law

Answer 12

Question 13

Brewster’s Angle (defintion and formula)

Answer 13

Brewster’s angle (also known as the polarization angle) is an angle of incidence at which light with a particular polarization is perfectly transmitted through a transparent dielectric surface, with no reflection. When unpolarized light is incident at this angle, the light that is reflected from the surface is therefore perfectly polarized.

Question 14

Lateral magnification

Answer 14

Question 15

Spherical mirror focus length

Answer 15

Question 16

Principal ray behavior for spherical mirrors

Answer 16

• Parallel to axis to go the focal point
• Toward the focal point go parallel to the axis
• Radially incoming rays leave on the original path
• Rays to the vertex go out at the same angle

Question 17

Thin lens equation

Answer 17

Question 18

Lensmaker’s Equation

Answer 18

Question 19

Principal rays for lenses

Answer 19

• Parallel to axis emerge directed at the focal point
• Rays through the center emerge unbent
• Rays towards the focal point emergy parallel to the axis

Question 20

Path length difference for double slit interference

Answer 20

Question 21

Single slit diffraction dark fringes

Answer 21

Question 22

Bragg Diffraction in an array (condition for constructive interference)

Answer 22

Question 23

First minimum from diffraction by a circular aperature

Answer 23

Question 24

Rayleigh scattering intensity proportionality

Answer 24

Question 25

Dispersion effect

Answer 25

The index of refraction for a particular wavelength of light generally decreases as the wavelength increases (i.e., “blue bends best”: blue light has a high frequency, therefore a low wavelength, therefore a high index of refraction)

Question 26

Phase shift upon reflection

Answer 26

If you reflect from something with a lower index of refraction, there is no phase shift. If you reflect from something with a higher index of refraction, there is a pi phase shift.

Question 27

Magnification of a telescope

Answer 27

Question 28

Diffraction grating

Answer 28

The maxima of a diffraction grating occur at the locations of the corresponding minima for single slit diffraction