Physics MCAT 8-9

the electromagnetic spectrum

"Real Men In Violet Underwear... eXtremely Gorgeous" in order of increasing frequency, increasing energy. (ROY G BV)

formula for magnification (mirrors)

- image distance / object distance pos m = upright neg m = inverted m >1 enlarged m <1 reduced

plane-polarized light

-electric field off all waves originated in same direction -e.g. optically active compounds -limits light into only two dimensions

visible region of electromagnetic spectrum

400-700 nm (red to violet)

circular polarization

Due to the interaction of light with certain pigment or highly specialized filters -constant amplitude but changing direction-->helical orientation

spherical aberration

a blurring of the periphery of an image as a result of inadequate reflection of parallel beams at the edge of a mirror or inadequate refraction of parallel beams at the edge of a lens

plane mirrors

always virtual images bc the reflected light remains in front of the mirror but the image appears behind the mirror. common mirrors in our home.

total internal reflection

any angles GREATER than critical angle, will reflect BACK into the original material -occurs when light moves from a medium w a higher refractive index to a lower one (water to air)

where do dark and bright fringes appear in a double slit experiment?

bright bands occur at m = 0, +/-1, +/-2 ...etc dark bands occur at m = +/-0.5, +/-1.5, +/-2.5 ...etc

concave and convex lens - match with con/diverging

concave lens = converging (CONV-CONV) convex lens = diverging

farsighted/nearsighted ppl need what types of lens? Myopia vs hyperopia?

converging lenses (reading glasses): for farsighted ppl (can see distant objects clearly) diverging lenses (standing glasses): for nearsighted ppl (can see near objects clearly) My New Dog is Hyper for Candy • Myopia = Nearsightedness; corrected with Diverging lenses • Hyperopia = Farsightedness; corrected with Converging lenses

spherical mirrors

have centers and radii of curvature as well as focal points

object place at F on a concave mirror will have what image?

image will be at infinity (bc reflected rays will be parallel) (B)

when light travels to a medium with a HIGHER index of refraction...

it bends TOWARD the normal (like going from air into water)

diffraction grating

multiple slits arranged in patterns. can create colorful patterns as the diff wavelengths interact in patterns. interference is due between reflected rays. ex: soap bubbles, oil puddles, CD or DVD.

f, r, i, and o in a concave mirror

o=object distance from mirror i=image distance from mirror f=focal length (distance between focal point F and mirror) r=radius of curvature (distance between C and mirror)

what does pos and neg "i" mean for a mirror?

pos i = real image --> image is in front of mirror neg i = virtual image --> image is behind mirror

+/- magnification means: +/- r (radius of curvature) means: +/- f (focus point) means: +/- i (image distance) means: (for lens)

pretty much same as mirrors, just slightly diff terminology.

an object placed beyond/behind F (but in front of C) on a concave mirror will have what image?

real inverted magnified (see A) IR and UV

dispersion of light

the separation of light into its component colors using a prism or diffraction grating

diffraction of light

the spreading out of light as it passes through a narrow opening or around an obstacle

a convex/diverging mirror will have what image?

virtual inverted reduced (ex: security store mirrors --> farther away you are, the smaller the image) ConVex mirrors are VURy useful for convenience store security cameras

an object placed after F (between F and mirror) on a concave mirror will have what image?

virtual upright magnified (see C) IR and UV

rectilinear propagation

waves will travel in straight lines or paths in a uniform medium

what is the real side for lens?

where light travels THRU lens and comes out on other side. so real side is opposite side of the original light source (which is on virtual side). OPPOSITE of mirrors: where the real side is where light is reflected--> in front of the mirror (same side as source)