Light Waves

Properties of Light
Recall

Light

Wave Theory Quantum Theory of Light

Light has a wave motion which Light is composed of bundles
starts from a vibrating body of wave energy called photons.
and is emitted at high speed.
Light as a wave
Properties
 Light as a wave
Properties

Reflection Refraction Diffraction Interference polarization

 Properties of Light

Light waves bounce off from a reflecting surface.

Law of Reflection
The angle of incidence is equal to the angle of
reflection as measured from the normal line.
Reflection

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 Properties of Light

Light waves bounce off from a reflecting surface.

Total Internal Reflection

Angle of incidence is greater than the critical
angle, if the light is exiting a medium
Reflection

Image sourcehttps://www.fiberlabs.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/total_internal_reflection.png
 Properties of Light

Light waves bounce off from a reflecting surface.

Two types:
1. Specular (regular)
Reflection 2. Diffuse

Specular Reflection Diffuse Reflection

Image: https://www.keystagewiki.com/images/thumb/3/3e/DiffuseReflectionDiagram.png/300px-DiffuseReflectionDiagram.png
 Properties of Light

Light waves bounce off from a reflecting surface.

Exhibits:
1. Absorption
Reflection 2. Scattering

Absorption Scattering
Transfer of light waves to Reflection of light by
the particles of matter particles
Image source: https://omlc.org/classroom/scat_demo/volume_scattering.gif
 Properties of Light

Bending of light as it passes from one medium to another

As light refracts, the velocity of the wave is altered,

wavelength increases or decreases, but its frequency
remains constant.
Refraction

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 Properties of Light

Bending of light as it passes from one medium to another

As light refracts, the velocity of the wave is altered,

wavelength increases or decreases, but its frequency
remains constant.
Refraction

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 Properties of Light

Law of Refraction (Snell’s Law)

: the incident ray, the refracted ray, and the normal to

the interface, all lie in the same plane.
Refraction

𝒏𝟏 𝒔𝒊𝒏𝜽𝟏 = 𝒏𝟐 𝒔𝒊𝒏𝜽𝟐
n1= incident index of medium 1
n2=refracted index of medium 2
𝜃!= incident angle of medium 1
𝜃!= refracted angle of medium 2

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7vWqvnl7t6nxWtXnF01Vwmzk_hE5XPBMag6jdpMb_gFVLNb2lw2JoFs
 Properties of Light

Law of Refraction (Snell’s Law)

: the incident ray, the refracted ray, and the normal to

the interface, all lie in the same plane.
Refraction
𝒄
𝒏=
𝒗
n1= refracted index
c=speed of light= 3.0 x10 8 m/s
𝑣= velocity of light as it passes from
vacuum to another medium

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7vWqvnl7t6nxWtXnF01Vwmzk_hE5XPBMag6jdpMb_gFVLNb2lw2JoFs
 Properties of Light

Law of Refraction (Snell’s Law)

: the incident ray, the refracted ray, and the normal to

the interface, all lie in the same plane.
Refraction

Effect associated with the

Dispersion separation of light into colors by a
prism

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 Properties of Light

Bending of light as it passes around the edge of a barrier

The bending depends on the relative size of the wavelength

of light to the size of the opening.
Diffraction

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 Properties of Light

Bending of light as it passes around the edge of a barrier

The bending depends on the relative size of the wavelength

of light to the size of the opening.
Diffraction

Silver lining
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 Properties of Light

Modification in the distribution of light energy due to

superposition of two light waves

Two types: constructive and destructive interference

Interference

Image source: https://www.physics-and-radio-electronics.com/physics/images/constructiveanddestructiveinterference.png

 Recall

• Studied the interference and diffraction of light that

established the Wave Theory of Light

Thomas Young
 Properties of Light

Property of light waves that describe the orientation of its

vibrations.

Three types: linear, circular, elliptical

Polarization

Image source: https://www.physics-and-radio-electronics.com/physics/images/constructiveanddestructiveinterference.png

 Properties of Light

Property of light waves that describe the orientation of its

vibrations.

Three types: linear, circular, elliptical

Polarization

Aurora Borealis
Image source: https://www.edmundoptics.com/globalassets/knowledge-center/app-notes/optics/intro-polarization-fig-2b-new.gif
 Light as a wave
Properties

Reflection Refraction Diffraction Interference polarization