← General Physics: Waves and Optics

⇄ Sync
Length

Program
History and progress transfer
Choose a topic — problems will keep coming one after another for as long as you like

Theory of all steps of the program by blocks. Open a topic to read it.

How a session goes

A session is 10–90 minutes: a warm-up on what you've learned, new steps with short theory and problems, practice. Each problem gives two tries: 100 points on the first, 60 on the second; after the second mistake the correct answer is shown. You move on in the program if 70 % of the problems are solved.

Problems with numbers are generated anew every time a step is repeated. A fractional answer can be entered with a comma, a point or as a fraction: 0,5, 0.5, 1/2. In Practice any topic is available without a timer.

About the course

The wave equation, standing waves, the Doppler effect, electromagnetic waves and the Poynting vector. Geometric optics: refraction, total internal reflection, lenses and optical instruments. Interference (Young, thin films, Newton's rings), Fresnel and Fraunhofer diffraction, the grating, polarization and Malus's law, dispersion.

Course program: 27 lessons

Mechanical and electromagnetic waves

  1. Travelling wave
  2. The wave equation and waves on a string
  3. Standing waves and harmonics
  4. Sound and the Doppler effect
  5. Electromagnetic wave
  6. The Poynting vector and radiation pressure
  7. Checkpoint: waves

Geometric optics

  1. Fermat's principle and the law of refraction
  2. Total internal reflection and optical fibres
  3. Thin lens
  4. Two-lens system
  5. Magnifier, microscope, telescope
  6. Geometric optics: more practice
  7. Checkpoint: geometric optics

Interference

  1. Coherence and Young's experiment
  2. Thin films and anti-reflection coatings
  3. Newton's rings and the Michelson interferometer
  4. Checkpoint: interference

Diffraction

  1. The Huygens–Fresnel principle and Fresnel zones
  2. Single-slit diffraction and the Rayleigh criterion
  3. Diffraction grating
  4. X-ray diffraction: Bragg's law
  5. Checkpoint: diffraction

Polarization and dispersion

  1. Polarization and Malus's law
  2. Polarization by reflection: Brewster's angle
  3. Dispersion of light and the prism
  4. Checkpoint: polarization and dispersion