Wave Optics
Objectives
• Use mathematical representations of phenomena.
• Communicate cause and effect relationships related to
light diffraction, reflection, and refraction using multiple
formats, including diagrams, mathematical models, orally,
and in written text.
• Develop models to represent conditions that cause the
diffraction, reflection, or refraction of different wave types.
• Use data to show that wave speed changes as the
medium through which a wave travels changes.
• Use math to predict the relative change in the wave speed
of a wave when it moves from one medium to another.
• Use math to predict the relative size and location of an
image formed when light passes through converging and
diverging lenses.
Ray Model
A ray model uses an arrow called a ray to represent the
direction the wave is traveling.
Rays are always drawn perpendicular to the wave fronts.
Overhead photos of ripple tanks show the crests of parallel
wave fronts and of circular waves.
Diffraction
Diffraction is the bending of a wave around the edges of
an opening.
Huygens’ Wave Model
Reflection
Reflection is a phenomenon
that occurs when a wave
bounces off an interface or
another object.
The angle of reflection (qr)
is equal to the angle of
incidence (qi).
Virtual image
Refraction
Wave Front Model Huygens’ Wave
When a wave Model
encounters a
different medium,
its speed,
wavelength, and
direction change.
This is called
refraction.
Slowing Down Speeding Up
Lenses
Lenses bend light
by refraction. The Converging lens
point at which the
rays converge or
appear to diverge
is called the focal
point.
Diverging lens
Formation of Images
Ray tracing is used to determine where and what type of
images will form when a light ray travels from an object
through a lens. Real images form on the opposite side of the
lens, compared to the object’s position. Virtual images form
on the same side of the lens as the object.
For converging
lenses, draw three
Ray principal rays.
Tracing
For objects between
the focal point and
the lens, extrapolate
backwards.
Magnification
Magnification is the process of making an object appear
larger.
A magnifying glass is a converging lens.
Heights are positive above
the axis and negative if
they are below the axis.
Distances are
measured from the
center of the lens.
The Lens Equation
The lens equation can be used to calculate exact image
locations. It works for all thin lenses, meaning the thickness
is small compared to the radius of the curvature.
The lens
equation
works for
both
converging
and
diverging
lenses.
Snell’s Law
Problems
Practice Problems
A ray of light moving through air strikes the surface of an unknown transparent
liquid at an angle of 45.0° with respect to the normal. The ray is observed to
refract at an angle of 30.0°. Determine the index of refraction for and the speed
of light in the unknown liquid. The index of refraction for air is 1.00, and the speed
of light in a vacuum is 3.00 × 108 m/s. Round the speed of light in the liquid to the
nearest whole number.
Practice Problems
A ray of light moving through air strikes the surface of an unknown
transparent liquid at an angle of 20.0° with respect to the normal. The
ray is observed to refract at an angle of 16.8°. Determine the index of
refraction for and the speed of light in the unknown liquid. The index of
refraction for air is 1.00, and the speed of light in a vacuum is 3.00 ×
108 m/s.
•A.
index of refraction =8 0.710
speed = 4.24 × 10 m/s
•B.
index of refraction = 0.350
8
speed = 8.49 × 10 m/s
•C.
index of refraction =8 1.18
speed = 2.54 × 10 m/s
•D.
index of refraction = 2.14
8
speed = 2.45 × 10 m/s
