Physical Optics

Question 1

Huygen’s Principles

Answer 1

1. Every oscillator in a wave creates spherical wavelets that propagate outward
2. The wavefront created by these oscillations is due to the combined interference of the wavelets

Question 2

Young’s Double-Slit Experiment

Answer 2

pattern results from diffraction and interference

Experimental evidence that light has wave characteristics

Question 3

Equation for length from central maximum to maximum

Answer 3

xm = mλL / d

d sinθ = mλ

Question 4

Single-Slit interference

Answer 4

Large central maximum, brighter and wider

Size of slit changes the width and brightness

Question 5

Polarization of light

Answer 5

polarizing filters only allow light propogating in one direction to pass through
2 perpendicular filters will block all light
demonstrates light is a transverse wave

Question 6

Path difference

Answer 6

path difference = mλ

Question 7

Color

Answer 7

When you see a color, the object is absorbing all other colors with different wavelengths

Question 8

Dispersion

Answer 8

Light getting scattered as indeces of refraction
ROYGBIV -> long wavelength to short wavelength,
short wavelength bends more