PH2301 Physical Optics

Tutorial 1 Getting used to the wave equation is of utmost importance for the learning of optics, and later on, certain aspects of quantum mechanics. As such, please attempt the following practice questions from the textbook to familiarize yourself with the mechanical aspects of wavefunctions. Please try the following questions on your own free time, and only submit the questions that have marks assigned to them. Practice: 2.2, 2.4, 2.9, 2.17, 2.31 To be submitted: Question 1 Determine which of the following are travelling waves: (a) (b) (c) ( ( ( ) ) )
( )

( (

) )

Draw the profile of the waves, and find the speed and direction of motion. (5 marks) Question 2 Although you will explore the superposition of waves later on in the, it is useful to convince yourself from the start that superposed waves still obey the wave equation. Use the following wavefunctions for this question:
( ( ( ) ) )

Check that the following two wavefunctions are also waves:

(3 marks) Question 3 A wave travels 10 m along a length of string in 2.0 s. Determine the frequency of a harmonic wave of wavelength 0.5 m traveling on this string. (2 marks)