Objectives:

After completing this module, students know how electromagnetic waves are produced and how they transport energy and momentum through space.  Students will be able to identify different regions of the EM spectrum and will be able to distinguish between unpolarized and polarized light.
Students will be able to calculate diffraction patterns produced by a single slit, two slits, and a diffraction grating.  They will also be able to work problems involving interference from thin films.  Students will be able to calculate the maximum resolution of optical instruments.

Electromagnetic waves

Study the on-line material:

• Field energy

• Production of EM waves

• Wave energy and momentum

• The electromagnetic spectrum

• Polarization

Start:

• Discussion 9

Complete:

• Assignment 19

Additional material:
Textbook, Chapters 16.1 - 16.5,  (Vol. 2)

Diffraction and interference

Study the on-line material:

• Single slit diffraction

• Double slit interference

Complete:

• Assignment 20

• Lab 9

Additional material:
Textbook, Chapters 3.1 - 3.3,  (Vol. 3)

Thin film interference

Study the on-line material:

• Resolving power

• Thin-film interference

Complete:

• Assignment 21

• Extra Credit 9, Discussion 9

Additional material:
Textbook, Chapter 3.5,  (Vol. 3)

If you miss having regular lectures, consider these video lectures.

• Lecture 27: Resonance, Destructive Resonance, Electromagnetic Waves, Speed of Light
• Lecture 28: Index of Refraction, Poynting Vector, Oscillating Charges, Radiation Pressure
• Lecture 33: Double-Slit Interference and Interferometers
• Lecture 34: Gratings and Resolving Power