Physics 52 - Heat and

Optics
Dr. Joseph F. Becker
Physics Department
San Jose State University
2005 J. F. Becker

Chapter 33
The Nature and
Propagation of Light

2005 J. F. Becker

San Jose State University

Physics 52 Heat and Optics

Spherical E-M
wave fronts
spreading out
uniformly in
all directions
from a point
source of
LIGHT
2005 J. F. Becker

San Jose State University

Physics 52 Heat and Optics

Wave fronts and rays.

Spherical wave fronts.

When wave fronts are

planes the rays are
parallel.
2005 J. F. Becker

San Jose State University

Physics 52 Heat and Optics

A plane wave is in part reflected and in

part refracted at the boundary between
two media (air and glass here).

air glass

air glass

2005 J. F. Becker

San Jose State University

Physics 52 Heat and Optics

Specular
and
diffuse
reflection

2005 J. F. Becker

San Jose State University

Physics 52 Heat and Optics

Reflection and
refraction for the
case where nb > na

glass

2005 J. F. Becker

air

San Jose State University

Physics 52 Heat and Optics

Optical materials are characterized by an

important property called the index of
refraction or refractive index defined as:

n = c / vn
where c is the speed of light in vacuum and
equal to c = 3.00 (10)8 m/s, and
vn is the speed of light in the material. The
value of vn varies from one material to another
(type of molecules, crystal structure, etc.).
n is always equal to, or greater than, 1.00

2005 J. F. Becker

San Jose State University

Physics 52 Heat and Optics

A twice
reflected
ray
(done in
the lab)

2005 J. F. Becker

San Jose State University

Physics 52 Heat and Optics

As light passes through the interface

between two materials (like air and glass)
the frequency (f) of the light wave
remains the same: number of cycles per
second out of one material must equal the
number of cycles/second into the other.
IN VACUUM: f = c /
IN MATERIAL: f = vn / n
Equating the fs the we get c / = vn / n
n = (vn / c) so
2005 J. F. Becker

n = / (n)

San Jose State University

Physics 52 Heat and Optics

Law of REFLECTION
Angle of incidence = angle of reflection

i = r

Law of REFRACTION
(Snells
Law)
n1 sin 1 = n2 sin
2
2005 J. F. Becker

San Jose State University

Physics 52 Heat and Optics

A light ray is incident on a block of

glass
(n = 1.50) making an angle of 30o
with the NORMAL to the surface.
a) What is the angle of reflection?
b) What is the angle of refraction?
2005 J. F. Becker

San Jose State University

Physics 52 Heat and Optics

Total internal
reflection
(FIBER OPTICS)
2005 J. F. Becker

San Jose State University

Physics 52 Heat and Optics

Light trapped
in a fiber optic
glass
communications
cable:
total internal
reflection
2005 J. F. Becker

San Jose State University

Physics 52 Heat and Optics

Variation of index
of refraction (n)
with wavelength
of light in vacuum
( ).
The wavelength
of light in the
material is

n n

2005 J. F. Becker

San Jose State University

700

Physics 52 Heat and Optics

Dispersion of light by a prism. The

band of colors is called a spectrum.

2005 J. F. Becker

San Jose State University

Physics 52 Heat and Optics

Rainbows are formed by refraction,

reflection, and dispersion in water
drops: (a) Primary rainbow
(b) Secondary rainbow
red
violet

2005 J. F. Becker

San Jose State University

Physics 52 Heat and Optics

The
rainbow
mechanism
again

2005 J. F. Becker

San Jose State University

Physics 52 Heat and Optics

Polarization
(a) Transverse wave
on a string, polarized
in the y-direction.
(b) Wave polarized in
the z-direction.
(c) Barrier with
vertical slot passes
the y- and blocks the
z-polarized
components.
2005 J. F. Becker

San Jose State University

Physics 52 Heat and Optics

Polaroid filter

2005 J. F. Becker

San Jose State University

Physics 52 Heat and Optics

Unpolarized light is incident on a

polarizing filter
Law of Malus: I() = Imax cos2

2005 J. F. Becker

San Jose State University

Physics 52 Heat and Optics

Reflected light can be polarized

2005 J. F. Becker

San Jose State University

Physics 52 Heat and Optics

 P is the
polarizing
angle
(Brewsters
angle)
2005 J. F. Becker

San Jose State University

Physics 52 Heat and Optics

Light striking the water-air interface

(a) from the air side
(b) from the water side

2005 J. F. Becker

San Jose State University

Physics 52 Heat and Optics

Blue sky and red sunset. Scattered light

contains mostly blue light (sky) and the
white sunlight that has lost some blue
appears red (sunset).

2005 J. F. Becker

San Jose State University

Physics 52 Heat and Optics

Huygens Principle
Every point on a
wave front may be
considered a
source of
secondary
wavelets.
2005 J. F. Becker

San Jose State University

Physics 52 Heat and Optics

Reflection

2005 J. F. Becker

San Jose State University

Physics 52 Heat and Optics

Refraction

2005 J. F. Becker

San Jose State University

Physics 52 Heat and Optics

Dispersion

2005 J. F. Becker

San Jose State University

Physics 52 Heat and Optics

Lateral beam displacement (Lab)

2005 J. F. Becker

San Jose State University

Physics 52 Heat and Optics

Review

2005 J. F. Becker

San Jose State University

Physics 52 Heat and Optics