Geometrics and Wave Optics
- Sciences
- 100 level
- 2 credit units
- 157 pages
- 15 units
This course introduces the fundamental principles of geometric and wave optics. It explores reflection and refraction at plane and curved surfaces, including lenses and optical instruments like telescopes and microscopes. Students will learn about wave optics concepts such as interference, thin films, and polarization of light. The course aims to enhance understanding of light's dual nature and its applications in various technologies.
About this course
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Study hours
- 195 hours
- Maths
- Intermediate
- Content
- Theoretical, problem solving
- Practical work
- No
- Assignments
- Tutor marked assignments
- Final examination
What you'll read
The real module and unit structure of PHY103, taken from the course material NOUN publishes.
One paragraph, so you can see how it reads
PHY103 · UNIT 1 REFLECTION AT PLANE SURFACES
The final examination for PHY 103 will be of three hours duration and carry a weightage of 70% of the total course grade. The examination will consists of questions which reflect the type of self-testing practice exercises and tutor marked problems you have previously encountered. All areas of the course shall be assessed.
What you should be able to do
- Explain reflection and refraction phenomena
- Apply lens formulas to solve optical problems
- Describe the function of optical instruments
- Explain the concept of interference and polarization
- Solve problems related to interference and polarization
What it prepares you for
- Optical Engineer
- Laser Technician
- Telecommunications Engineer
- Medical Imaging Specialist
- Telecommunications
- Medical Imaging
- Optical Engineering
- Astronomy
Where it gets hard
The units students slow down on, and what makes each one heavy.
- Module 1: Reflection and Refraction at Plane and Curved Surfaces
Unit 2: Reflection at Curved Surfaces
Application of the mirror formula requires careful attention to sign conventions for object and image distances, which can be challenging for beginners.
- Module 2: Lenses and Optical Instruments
Unit 2: Lens Formula and Spectra
The lens maker's equation involves multiple parameters and requires a strong understanding of refractive index and radii of curvature.
- Module 3: Interference and Polarization of Light
Unit 3: Newton's Rings and Interference in Thin Films
Understanding the conditions for constructive and destructive interference in thin films requires a solid grasp of wave behavior and path differences.
A suggested way through it
13 weeks, about 24.5 hours in total. Yours will differ.
- Week 1Module 1: Reflection and Refraction at Plane and Curved Surfaces
Unit 1: Reflection at Plane Surfaces · 1.5 hours
Study the laws of reflection and refraction.. Solve problems related to reflection at plane surfaces.. Perform the tutor-marked assignment..
- Week 2Module 1: Reflection and Refraction at Plane and Curved Surfaces
Unit 2: Reflection at Curved Surfaces · 2 hours
Study images formed by curved mirrors.. Apply the mirror formula to solve problems.. Complete the tutor-marked assignment..
- Week 3Module 1: Reflection and Refraction at Plane and Curved Surfaces
Unit 3: Refraction at Plane Surfaces · 2 hours
Understand refraction at plane surfaces and Snell's law.. Solve problems related to refractive index and critical angle.. Study total internal reflection and its applications..
- Week 4Module 1: Reflection and Refraction at Plane and Curved Surfaces
Unit 4: Refraction through Prisms · 2 hours
Study refraction through prisms and the angle of deviation.. Solve problems related to minimum deviation.. Complete the tutor-marked assignment..
- Week 5Module 1: Reflection and Refraction at Plane and Curved Surfaces
Unit 5: Refraction at Curved Surfaces · 1.5 hours
Study image formation by refraction at curved surfaces.. Define a lens and its characteristics.. Solve problems related to curved surfaces..
- Week 6Module 2: Lenses and Optical Instruments
Unit 1: Images Formed by a Converging Lens and Diverging Lens (Ray Tracing) · 1.5 hours
Trace rays to locate images formed by converging and diverging lenses.. Distinguish between images formed by convex and concave lenses.. Solve problems using ray tracing..
- Week 7Module 2: Lenses and Optical Instruments
Unit 2: Lens Formula and Spectra · 2 hours
Apply the lens formula and lens maker's equation to solve problems.. Understand dispersion and spectra.. Differentiate between different kinds of spectra..
- Week 8Module 2: Lenses and Optical Instruments
Unit 3: The Eye · 1.5 hours
Identify the parts of the human eye and their functions.. Define the power of a lens and solve related problems.. Discuss eye defects and their corrections..
- Week 9Module 2: Lenses and Optical Instruments
Unit 4: Optical Instruments · 2 hours
Explain how microscopes function.. Explain how astronomical telescopes function in normal adjustment.. Complete the tutor-marked assignment..
- Week 10Module 2: Lenses and Optical Instruments
Unit 5: Other Types of Telescopes · 2 hours
Distinguish between astronomical and terrestrial telescopes.. Explain the operation of the reflector telescope.. Understand the eye ring..
- Week 11Module 3: Interference and Polarization of Light
Unit 1: Interference · 2 hours
Explain the wave nature of light and coherent sources.. Define interference and its types.. Describe Young's double-slit experiment..
- Week 12Module 3: Interference and Polarization of Light
Unit 2: Interference in Thin Films and Air Wedge · 1.5 hours
Explain interference in thin films and air wedges.. Understand phase change in reflection.. Solve problems related to thin films and air wedges..
- Week 13Module 3: Interference and Polarization of Light
Unit 3: Newton's Rings and Interference in Thin Films · 2 hours
Identify Newton's rings and explain their theory.. Differentiate between Newton's rings and interference in thin films.. Explain the theory of interference in thin films..
Unit 4: Polarization of Light · 1 hour
Differentiate polarized and unpolarized light.. Describe methods of polarization.. Explain optical activity..
Preparing for the exam
- Create ray diagrams for different lens configurations (Units 6-7).
- Practice applying the mirror and lens formulas to solve numerical problems (Units 2, 7).
- Review the conditions for constructive and destructive interference (Units 11-13).
- Understand the different methods of producing polarized light (Units 14-15).
- Memorize key definitions and formulas from each unit.
- Focus on understanding the underlying principles rather than rote memorization.
Questions students ask about this course
What is PHY103 about?
This course introduces the fundamental principles of geometric and wave optics. It explores reflection and refraction at plane and curved surfaces, including lenses and optical instruments like telescopes and microscopes. Students will learn about wave optics concepts such as interference, thin films, and polarization of light. The course aims to enhance understanding of light's dual nature and its applications in various technologies.
How many units does PHY103 have?
PHY103, Geometrics and Wave Optics, has 15 units across 3 modules, over 157 pages of course material. You can read it one unit at a time.
How many credit units is PHY103?
PHY103 carries 2 credit units, at 100 level in Sciences.
Is PHY103 hard?
PHY103 is rated intermediate level, with intermediate mathematical content. It is mostly theoretical and problem solving work.
How long does PHY103 take to study?
About 195 hours of study, spread across its 15 units.
How is PHY103 assessed?
PHY103 is assessed by assignments, tutor marked assignments and final examination.
What can I do with PHY103?
Optical Engineer, Laser Technician, Telecommunications Engineer and Medical Imaging Specialist.