Unit 11: Waves and Light

     In this unit we will continue to study waves with a focus on light. We will begin with an explanation of the concept of image formation using mirrors and lenses. This is a particularly important concept for most people, as a large number of us need glasses and contact lenses to see clearly. If you don't yet need corrective lenses to improve your vision, just be patient, because 75% of adults require optical devices to see well. The understanding of these useful instruments is called "geometric optics." We will also study what physicists call "wave optics" with an emphasis on diffraction, interference and polarization. When a wave bends around an obstacle, we say it diffracts.  This behavior can be demonstrated with all waves, but it is most interesting when we diffract light to observe patterns of interference.  In this unit you will learn such things as how one can measure the wavelength of light using diffraction experiments and how the polarization of light allows for the projection of 3D movies.

Suggested timeframe: 3 weeks

Big Ideas:
1. Light is an electomagnetic transverse wave.
2. Light, like all waves, exhibits reflection and refraction phenomena.
3. Diffraction of a wave occurs when the wave bends around an obstacle.
4. Interference effects in thin films are found in many natural systems.
5. Diffraction and polarization of light are evidence of its wave-like nature.