1. [5 points] What is the difference between geometric optics and physical optic
ID: 1796192 • Letter: 1
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1. [5 points] What is the difference between geometric optics and physical optics? 2. [15 points] You might remember in class that we did a demo with a soda bottle, water, and a green laser: as the water spouted out of a hole in the side of the bottle, the laser light followed the curving arc of water downward due to total internal reflection. What, if anything, would be different if I used a red laser instead of a green laser? What, if anything, would be different if I filled the bottle with oil (index of refraction: 1.46) instead of water (1.33)? The lab manager put a mystery material in the bottle and the laser light no longer stays within the spout of water- it just shines out of the beam. What can you say about the index of refraction of this mystery material? Be as specific as possible a. b. , c·Explanation / Answer
In Geometrical optics we treat light as a single beam (A ray) and study the properties. It deals with lenses, mirrors, phenomenon of total internal reflection, formation of rainbows, etc.
. The wavelike properties of light become insignificant as the objects dealt with are very huge as compared to the wavelength of light.
But, in physical optics, we consider the wave like properties of light and study on the basis of Huygen's principle. We would deal with Young's double slit experiment and consequently with interference of light which is a characteristic of waves. polarization and Diffraction are also analysed which are also typical wavelike properties. Diffraction happens only when the obstacle's size is of the order of the wavelength of light. Maxwell's electromagnetic theory confirms wave theory of light . reflection and refraction are explained by physical optics as well.
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