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Our understanding of light starts with what light does and what its properties are (Figure 10.1). We know that: • light travels extremely fast and over long distances; • light carries energy and information; • light travels in straight lines; • light bounces and bends when it comes in contact with objects; • light has color; and
Light The nature of light has fascinated philosophers, as well as ordinary people, for thousands of years. The light seemed something ordinary and at the same time something very mysterious, magical. According to today’s criteria, a truly scienti c approach to the nature of light was initiated about 350 years
What are the properties of light? Can you solve for the frequency or wavelength given the other? Can you describe various uses for the different wavelengths/frequencies of the electromagnetic spectrum?
Apply the mirror and magnification equations. Sign conventions: if the object, image, or focal point is on the reflective side of the mirror, its distance is positive, and negative otherwise. Magnification is positive if image is upright, negative otherwise. Check that your solution agrees with the ray diagram.
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Light and Optics: We just learned that light is a wave (an "electromagnetic wave", with very small wavelength). But in many cases, you can safely ignore the wave nature of light! well understood. People thought about light as sort of like a stream of "particles" that travel in straight lines (call. around corners. (Think of sound coming th.
• Light is an electromagnetic wave. As shown below, an electromagnetic wave is a transverse wave consisting of mutually perpendicular oscillating electric and magnetic fields. Electromagnetic waves are ultimately produced by an accelerating charge.
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In this chapter, we look at the reflection of light, how light interacts with mirrors, and how mirrors can be used to form images. To understand reflection and image formation, we will use a model of light based on rays and wave fronts – this is a much simpler model than the electromagnetic wave perspective.
