Light Waves and Optics

Abstract

Since ancient times, the nature and properties of light have been intensively investigated in an attempt to address many of our needs for a better life on Earth. Today, scientists view the behavior of light as waves (electromagnetic waves ) in some situations and particles (photons ) in other situations. In this chapter, we briefly introduce aspects of light that are understood best when using wave models, as applied to geometrical and physical optics . First, we study the reflection and refraction of light at the boundary between two media. Then we study formation of images when using the two types of mirrors and lenses.