unit3

__Links__
Notes on Characteristics of Light

Another explanation of how the speed of light was calculated.

A great description of how to find images in curved mirrors.

Notes on Polarization of Light.

__Curriculum Outcomes__
Based on the curriculum objectives for Physics 20 at this point in //Unit Three// you should be able to:
 * Define the following terms:
 * luminous, nonluminous, rectilinear propagation, beam, incandescence, ray, transparent, translucent, opaque, penumbra, umbra, eclipse.
 * Give examples of some common luminous and nonluminous objects.
 * Explain that light usually travels in straight lines.
 * Give some examples which illustrate the rectilinear propagation of light.
 * Identify objects which are transparent, translucent, and opaque.
 * Apply and understanding of the inverse square law relationship between the intensity of light and the distance from the source


 * Define the following terms:
 * speed, light year.
 * Describe the methods used by Galileo, Roemer, and Michelson to measure the speed of light.
 * Explain why the speed of light is difficult to measure.
 * State the value of the speed of light in a vacuum to three significant figures.
 * Explain that the speed of light is fastest in a vacuum and slower in other materials.
 * Explain that light travels slightly slower in air than in a vacuum, but in many situations this difference is negligible.
 * Calculate the distance, in metres, that light travels in one light year, based on its speed in metres per second.
 * Explain why the light year is used to measure astronomical distances.


 * Build a pinhole camera.


 * Define the following terms:
 * interface, ray, incident ray, point of incidence, normal, reflected ray, angle of incidence, angle of reflection, specular reflection, diffuse reflection
 * State the laws of reflection.
 * Compare and contrast specular and diffuse reflection.
 * Explain why the laws of reflection still apply for diffuse (irregular) reflection.
 * List some different kinds of surfaces which produce either specular or diffuse reflection.


 * Define the following terms:
 * real image, virtual image, plane mirror, ray diagram.
 * Identify the characteristics of an image formed by a plane mirror.
 * Distinguish between a real and a virtual image.
 * Identify some optical systems which produce either a real or a virtual image.
 * Draw ray diagrams neatly, accurately, and to some appropriate scale.
 * Apply the correct use of solid and dotted lines on ray diagrams.
 * Interpret solid and dotted lines on ray diagrams.
 * Label ray diagrams correctly, using conventional symbols.
 * State the four important image characteristics which need to be considered for any type of optical system.