WAVES 3

DIFFRACTION of WAVES
Bending of the directional vector of propagation around obstacles ALL waves (Sound / EM radiation / Light) can be DIFFRACTED
v = f λ (v, f and λ do not change on diffraction) In air: speed of sound v =340m/s, EM, light: v=c=3*108m/s

Wavelength λ << Obstacle SIZE less bending (little diffraction)

Wavelength λ comparable to Obstacle SIZE more bending (a lot of diffraction)

REFLECTION & REFRACTION of WAVES

ALL waves (Sound / EM radiation / Light) can be REFLECTED and REFRACTED
v = f λ (v, f and λ do not change on reflection)
Light waves: ray tracing

Law of Reflection:
angle of incident radiation = angle of reflected radiation
angles are measured with respect to the normal
(a reference line perpendicular to the surface)
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SNELL’S LAW (Law of Refraction)

n1 sin θ1=n 2 sin θ2

n index of refraction of the medium w.r.t. vacuum

angles are measured with respect to the normal
(a reference line perpendicular to the surface)

v=fλ n=c/v
λ and v change, but f does not change

n1 < n2 velocity and wavelength decrease

n1 > n2, velocity and wavelength increase

Note: when θ1=0° , there is no refraction, but λ and v still change

TOTAL INTERNAL REFLECTION

n1 > n2
Critical angle: when θ1=θ C ,θ 2=90 °

=>> n1 sin θC =n2

=>> θC =sin
−1
( )
n2
n1

=>> For θ1 >θC , total internal reflection

Applications: fiber-optic line to guide the light/laser

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TEST PROBLEMS
June 2019 (R) QP1

(iv) Explain the path of the light ray shown in diagram 2. (3)
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June 2019 QP1
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January 2020 QP1

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(iii) State the formula linking critical angle and refractive index. (1)

(iv) The refractive index for the glass in this prism is 1.6
Calculate the critical angle for the glass in this prism. (3)

critical angle = ..............................................................

°

(v) Complete Diagram 1 by continuing the path of the light ray from point B. (2)