Physics » G. Waves and Optics » G.3. Electromagnetic Waves and Optics

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Characteristics of Electromagnetic Waves

• Overview
• Determining the wavelength or frequency of an electromagnetic wave using the equation c = λf
• Distinguishing between the types of electromagnetic waves in terms of frequency and wavelength

Doppler Effect for EM Waves

• Overview
• Recognizing the apparent change in frequency of a light source moving away from or towards an observer
• Recognizing the apparent change in wavelength of a light source moving away from or towards an observer
• Distinguishing between blue shifts and red shifts

Geometric Optics 1: Reflection

• Overview
• Identifying the incident ray, reflected ray, angle of incidence, and angle of reflection
• Identifying the correct reflected ray given an incident ray
• Determining the angle of reflection for a reflected light ray
• Determining the angle between an incident ray and a reflected ray

Geometric Optics 2: Concave Mirrors

• Overview
• Identifying the features of concave mirrors: center of curvature (C) , principal axis, principal focus (F) , and focal length (f)
• Identifying the correct reflected image for a concave mirror

Geometric Optics 3: Convex Mirrors

• Overview
• Identifying the features of convex mirrors: center of curvature (C) , principal axis, principal focus (F) , and focal length (f)
• Identify the correct reflected image for a convex mirror

Geometric Optics 4: Problems Involving Convex and Concave Mirrors

• Overview
• Determining the distance of a reflected image from a convex or concave mirror using the equation 1/s_o + 1/s_i = 1/f
• Determining whether a reflected image is real or virtual, using the equation 1/s_o + 1/s_i = 1/f
• Determining the magnification and height of a reflected image using the equation m = -s_i/s_o
• Determining whether an image is upright or inverted, using the equation m = -s_i/s_o

Geometric Optics 5: Refraction

• Overview
• Identifying the incident ray, refracted ray, angle of incidence, and angle of refraction
• Predicting a sequence of refracted rays based on indices of refraction
• Solving problems involving the index of refraction, n using the equation n = c/v
• Solving problems involving Snell’s Law, n₁sinθ₁ = n₂sinθ₂

Geometric Optics 6: Total Internal Reflection

• Overview
• Identifying examples where total internal reflection will occur
• Calculating the criticalangle, θ_c, with the equation θ_c =sin^-1 (n₂/n₁)

Geometric Optics 7: Convex Lenses

• Overview
• Identifying the features of convex lenses: principle axis, principle focus (F) , and the focal length (f)

Geometric Optics 8: Concave Lenses

• Overview
• Identifying the features of concave lenses: principle axis, principle focus (F) , and the focal length (f)
• Identifying the correct refracted image for a concave lens

Geometric Optics 9: Problems Involving Convex and Concave Lenses

• Overview
• Determining the distance of a refracted image from a convex lens using the equation 1/s_o + 1/s_i = 1/f,
• Determining whether a refracted image is real or virtual, using the equation 1/s_o + 1/s_i = 1/f
• Determining the magnification and height of a refracted image using the equation m = -s_i/s_o
• Determining whether an image is upright or inverted, using the equation m = -s_i/s_o

Physical Optics: Polarization, Diffraction and Interference

• Overview
• Identifying examples of polarization
• Identifying examples of single-slit diffraction
• Solving problems involving single-slit diffraction using X = m λL/d
• Identifying examples of double-slit diffraction
• Solving problems involving double-slit diffraction using the equation x = λL/d
• Solving problems involving constructive interference using the equation dsinθ = ±mλ
• Solving problems involving destructive interference using the equation dsinθ = ± (m + ½) λ