Chapter 35 The Nature of Light and

the Laws of Geometric Optics

35.1 The Nature of Light

A dual nature:
1. ParticleNature – Newton’s Particle Model
Albert Einstein (1905)
2. Wave Nature – Huygen (1678), Thomas Young (1801)
Maxwell (18XX)

The energy of a light wave is present in particles called photons and the energy of a
photon is E = hν , where h = 6.626 × 10 −34 (J s) is called Plank’s constant.

Particle --> A photon with frequency f and wavelength λ has energy E,

hc
E = hf = .
λ
h
Plank’s constant: h = 6.626 × 10 −34 J s, h =
2π
Wave nature: propagation of light
Particle nature: exchange of energy between light and matter

35.2 Measurements of The Speed of

Light
Armand Fizeau (1849):

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Michelson’s Method:

c = 299,792,458 m/s

Example: In Fizeau’s experiment, his wheel had 720 teeth, and light was observed
when the wheel rotated at 25.2 revolutions per second. If the distance from the wheel
to the distant mirror was 8.63 km, what was Fizeau’s value for the speed of light?

∆t =
1 1
s, c =
(
2 8.63 × 10 3 )
= 3.13 × 10 8
25.2 720 1
25.2 × 720

35.3 The Ray

Approximation

Ray approximation: λ << d (particle nature)

Diffraction: λ ~ d (wave nature)

a) λ << d , ray, particle

b) λ ~ d , diffraction, wave
c) λ >> d , point source

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35.4 The Wave Under Reflection

Physical Mechanisms for Reflection and Refraction

absorption and re-radiation of the light by the atoms

Specular Reflection and Diffuse Reflection

specular reflection: reflection from a smooth surface
diffuse reflection: the surface reflects the rays not as a parallel set

Law of reflection:
θ1 = θ1 '

35.5 The Wave Under Refraction

The light propagates slower in medium.
c
index of refraction: n =
v
glass: n = 1.50 − 1.66

substance (solid) n substance (fluid) n

Diamond 2.419 Benzene 1.501
Fused Quartz (SiO2) 1.458 Water 1.333
Ics 1.309 air 1.000293

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NaCl 1.544 CO2 1.0045
Example: The speed of light in silica. (a) Find the speed of light in silica. (quartz
SiO2)

Law of refraction (Snell’s law):

n1 sin θ1 = n2 sin θ 2

Example: Light passing through a slab

If the thickness of the slab is h, calculate d.

sin (θ 1 − θ 2 ) = (sin θ1 cosθ 2 − cosθ 1 sin θ 2 )

h h
d=
cos θ 2 cos θ 2
 
 n1 
 sin θ 1 
= h(sin θ 1 − cos θ 1 tan θ 2 ) = h sin θ 1 − cos θ 1
 n2 
 2 
  n1  
1 −  sin θ 1 
  n2  
 

Example: Measuring n Using a Prism

35.6 Huygens’s Principle

Each point on a primary wavefront serves as the sources of spherical secondary
wavelets that advance with a speed and frequency equal to those of the primary wave.
The primary wavefront at some later time is the envelope of these wavelets.

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Reflection:
θ1 = θ1

Refraction:
sin θ1 v1t
=
sin θ 2 v2t
d-x
n2
Fermat’s Principle [(d-x)2+(a/2)2]1/2

Fermat’s principle for refraction x

2 2
a a
x + 
2
(d − x ) 2
+ 
a/2
 2  2 [x2+(a/2)2]1/2
t= + n1
v1 v2

∂t
=0 d
∂x
sin θ 1 v1
=
sin θ 2 v 2
c v1 c / n1 n2 sin θ 1
index of refraction: n = , = = =
v v 2 c / n2 n1 sin θ 2

35.7 Dispersion

Dispersion
Velocities of light with different colors vary in medium (not in
vacuum). The variance of light velocity results in dispersion.
Rainbows
Calculating the Angular Radius of the Rainbow

Primary reflection:

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 β = ? in terms of θ1 and θ 2 , nair sin θ1 = nwater sin θ 2 --> write β = β (θ1 )
φd + 2 β = π
β + (θ1 − θ 2 ) = θ 2 --> β = 2θ 2 − θ1
the angles of deviation: φd = ?

 nair sin θ1 
φd = π − 2 β = π − 4θ 2 + 2θ1 = π + 2θ1 − 4 sin −1  
 nwater 

The intensity of the reflected light reaches its maximum at

the angle of minimum deviation.

Blue Yellow Red

Material
(486.1 nm) (589.3 nm) (656.3 nm)

Crown Glass 1.524 1.517 1.515

Flint Glass 1.639 1.627 1.622

Water 1.337 1.333 1.331

Cargille Oil 1.530 1.520 1.516

Carbon Disulfide 1.652 1.628 1.618

Table 2

35.8 Total Internal Reflection

( )
n1 sin θ = n2 sin 90O --> n1 > n2

n2

n1

Example: A particular glass has an index of refraction of n = 1.5 . What is the critical
angle for total reflection for light leaving this glass and entering air, for which

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n = 1 .0 ?

1.5 sin θ C = 1.0 sin 90O

Example: While under the water, you look up and

notice that you see objects above water level in a
circle of light of radius approximately 2.0 m, and the
rest of your vision is the color of the sides of the pool.
How deep are you in the pool?
R
1.33 sin θ c = 1.0 sin 90o , = tan θ c --> y = ?
y

Optical Fibers

Mirages n2

n1