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Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Grade 12

This document provides an overview of key concepts in geometric optics, interference, and diffraction. It discusses Huygens' principle which states that every point on a wavefront acts as a secondary source, and introduces the laws of reflection and refraction. Sample problems demonstrate applying Snell's law to calculate refraction angles when light passes from one medium to another. Interference of light in thin films is also summarized, where the superposition of multiple light waves can constructively or destructively interfere to form a resultant wave.

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218 views4 pages

Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Grade 12

This document provides an overview of key concepts in geometric optics, interference, and diffraction. It discusses Huygens' principle which states that every point on a wavefront acts as a secondary source, and introduces the laws of reflection and refraction. Sample problems demonstrate applying Snell's law to calculate refraction angles when light passes from one medium to another. Interference of light in thin films is also summarized, where the superposition of multiple light waves can constructively or destructively interfere to form a resultant wave.

Uploaded by

riza amores
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics

Grade 12

General Physics 2
Module 8: Interference and Diffraction (Huygens’ Principle, Two-
Source Interference of Light in Thin Films)

Geometric optics is the branch of optics dealing with light as rays, especially in the study of the effects of
lenses and mirrors on light beams and of their combination in optical instruments. It can be condensed
into two laws: Law of Reflection and Snell’s Law of Refraction.

Huygen’s Principle is stated as “Every point on a wave front may be thought of as a source of spherical
waves.”

In 1678, Dutch physicist, Christiaan Huygens, believed that light was made up of waves vibrating up and
down perpendicular to the direction of the light travels, and therefore formulated a way of visualizing
wave propagation.

Law of Reflection

The law of reflection states that the angle of incidence is equal to the angle of reflection: I  R

If the incident ray and reflected ray are both 30 and both sides are complementary to 60 , it means
 

they are forming right angles because the total angle of each side is 90 .

Sample Problem 1:

1. A light ray strikes the mirror at angle 30 degrees from the horizontal. What is the angle x where the ray
leaves the second mirror?
Solution:
30  130  y  180
160  y  180
180  160  20
x  20
Snell’s Law of Refraction
Snell's law is a formula used to describe the relationship between the angles of incidence and refraction,
when referring to light or other waves passing through a boundary between two different isotropic media,

such as water, glass, or air. 1 is the angle of the incident ray while  2 is the refraction angle.

n2 sin  2  n1 sin 1

In optics, the refractive index or index of refraction of a material is a dimensionless number that describes
how fast light travels through the material.

Sample Problem 2:

Light travels from air into an optical fiber with an index of refraction of 1.44.  (a)  In which direction does
the light bend?  (b)  If the angle of incidence on the end of the fiber is 22 o, what is the angle of refraction
inside the fiber?  (c)  Sketch the path of light as it changes media.

Solution:

(a) Since the light is traveling from a rarer region (lower n) to a denser region (higher n), it will
bend toward the normal.

(b) We will identify air as medium 1 and the fiber as medium 2.  Thus, n1 = 1.00, n2 = 1.44, and θ/font>1 =
22o.  Snell's Law then becomes

(1.00) sin 22o = 1.44 sin θ2.


sin θ2 = (1.00/1.44) sin 22o = 0.260
θ2 = sin-1 (0.260) = 15o.

(c) The path of the light is shown in the figure below.


Interference of Light in Thin Films
In physics, interference is a phenomenon in which two waves superpose to form a resultant wave of
greater, lower, or the same amplitude. Interference effects can be observed with all types of waves, for
example, light, radio, acoustic, surface water waves, gravity waves, or matter waves.

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