The Nature of Light (Physics)

Recall cards on the nature of light. The propagation of light: the speed of light in vacuum, its invariance for all observers, the index of refraction n = c/v, and the ray model. The law of reflection: angle of reflection equals angle of incidence, specular versus diffuse reflection, corner reflectors, and retroreflectors. Refraction and Snell's law: bending toward or away from the normal, and representative indices for air, water, and diamond. Total internal reflection: the critical angle theta_c = arcsin(n2/n1) and optical fibers. Dispersion: white light spread into a spectrum, wavelength-dependent index, prisms, and rainbows. Huygens's principle: wavelets, wave fronts, refraction, and diffraction. Polarization: Malus's law, polarizing filters, Brewster's angle, birefringence, optical activity, and liquid-crystal displays.