Light and Waves

Intro Physics continued their discussion of wave interactions with a discussion of refraction and interference. We discussed when refraction would occur, described how the path of travel change when a wave enters a particular material and then moved to both constructive and destructive wave interference, along with the formation beats. On Monday, we'll discuss standing waves, Tuesday is review day and Wednesday is exam day. On Thursday, we begin a specific examination of sound.

Physics D, F and Honors Physics reviewed their work with lenses, then turned attention to optical phenomena such as total internal reflection, mirage formation and dispersion. We looked at examples of natural and man-made fiber optics, then examined how mirages are formed due to atmospheric refraction and dispersion, along with it's relationship to rainbow formation. On Monday, Physics D will review for their upcoming exam (Thursday), while F and Honors Physics begin work on two lab activities for image formation by lenses and the relationship between aperture and depth of field. D Block will start on these labs Tuesday.