PHY 104 Properties of Light, Reflection, Refraction, and Scattering Notes

Description

These lecture notes provide a comprehensive overview of the fundamental properties and behaviors of light. It begins by introducing the dual nature of light, discussing both its particle (photons) and wave characteristics, alongside concepts like wavefronts and rays. The document then delves into the laws of reflection and refraction, explaining the index of refraction and Snell's Law with illustrative examples. Furthermore, it covers total internal reflection (TIR) and its practical applications in areas like fiber optics. Finally, the notes explain the phenomenon of light scattering, including the Tyndall effect, to elucidate why the sky appears blue and the varied colors observed during sunsets.