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SPH103_Notes_Lecture3&4_Sept2023_AMulama_1

The document discusses Fermat's principle, which states that light travels between two points along the path that requires the least time, leading to the derivation of Snell's law for refraction. It also covers concepts such as the reversibility principle, total internal reflection, and the formation of rainbows, as well as the differences between Rayleigh and Mie scattering. Additionally, it includes worked examples related to optics and the characteristics of images formed by concave mirrors.

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3 views

SPH103_Notes_Lecture3&4_Sept2023_AMulama_1

The document discusses Fermat's principle, which states that light travels between two points along the path that requires the least time, leading to the derivation of Snell's law for refraction. It also covers concepts such as the reversibility principle, total internal reflection, and the formation of rainbows, as well as the differences between Rayleigh and Mie scattering. Additionally, it includes worked examples related to optics and the characteristics of images formed by concave mirrors.

Uploaded by

henryodhiambo924
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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SPH 103: OPTICS

By Austine A. Mulama

Lectures 3 & 4 notes


Fermat’s principle
Fermat's principle states that “light travels between two points along the path
that requires the least time, as compared to other nearby paths.” From Fermat's
principle, we can derive the law of refraction [Snell's law].
Fermat's principle: Time taken for light to travel along its true or actual path
from point A  B is equal “in first order approximation” to the time taken along
other (hypothetical) paths closely adjacent to the true path.
Law of Refraction by Fermat’s Principle Points A and B are separated by an
interface between two different media.

Which is the true path? Set up the problem for solution by Fermat’s Principle.
A
Normal

h
q-x
P

h
x
B
q
Fig. 1: Light travelling from point A to point B through P.
From Fig. 1, show that by Fermat’s principle, sin = sin for light travelling from medium 1 to medium 2.

 By Fermat’s principle, in Fig. 1, light travels from point 𝐴 to point 𝐵 along a straight line path. We let this
path length be denoted by 𝑑. Thus, the time taken will be 𝑡 = 𝑑/𝑣…..(1), where 𝑣 is the speed of light in the
medium. The optical path length (OPL) will be given by 𝑂𝑃𝐿 = 𝑐 = 𝑐𝑑/𝑣 = 𝑑…….(2)

 For the law of refraction by Fermat’s principle, points 𝐴 and 𝐵 are separated by an interface between two
different media. The optical path length is a function of 𝑥 i.e. 𝑂𝑃𝐿 = 𝑂𝑃𝐿(𝑥). Therefore:

𝑂𝑃𝐿(𝑥)𝐴𝐵 = 𝑂𝑃𝐿(𝑥)𝐴𝑃 + 𝑂𝑃𝐿(𝑥)𝑃𝐵 …. (3)

 From the Fig. 1, by Pythagoras theorem; 𝑂𝑃𝐿(𝑥)𝐴𝐵 = ℎ +𝑥 /


+ ℎ + (𝑞 − 𝑥) /
…..(4)

 To solve eqn. (4) we must maximize it such that 𝑑[𝑂𝑃𝐿 𝑥 𝐴𝐵 ]Τ𝑑𝑥 = 0….. (5)
 Applying eqn. (5) to eqn. (4) under differentiation by chain rule
1/2
𝑑[𝑛1 ℎ2 +𝑥 2 ] − / /
= . 2𝑥 ℎ + 𝑥 = 𝑥/ ℎ + 𝑥 ;
𝑑𝑥

𝑑[ ℎ + (𝑞 − 𝑥) / ] 1
= . 2(𝑞 − 𝑥) ℎ + (𝑞 − 𝑥) − / = (𝑞 − 𝑥)/ ℎ + (𝑞 − 𝑥) /
𝑑𝑥 2

and re-arranging, we obtain

𝑥/ ℎ + 𝑥 / − (𝑞 − 𝑥)/ ℎ + (𝑞 − 𝑥) / = 0…… (6)

 But from Fig. 1, sin = 𝑥/ ℎ + 𝑥 / and sin = (𝑞 − 𝑥)/ ℎ + (𝑞 − 𝑥) / …….(7). Substituting


eqn. (7) in eqn. (6) and re-arranging, yields sin = sin which is the Snell’s law as required.
Reversibility Principle
Fermat’s Principle gives the light path from A B independent of the direction in
which light travels along this path. In other words, Fermat’s Principle applied to
light travelling from A B gives the same path when applied to light travelling
from B A
Applications of Fermat’s Principle
We can make several observations as a result of Fermat’s Principle which will
prove useful as we explore the realm of geometric optics:
1. In a homogeneous medium, light rays are rectilinear. That is, in any medium
where the index of refraction is constant, light travels in a straight line.
2. The angle of reflection of a surface is equal to the angle of incidence. This is
the Law of Reflection.
We can also make some interesting and useful observations about conic
surfaces. Conic surfaces are particularly useful in mirror optics – for example,
the design of telescopes. We consider two conjugate points – two points that are
perfect images of each other. A salient property of these conjugate points is that
the optical path length of all rays connecting them is equal.

Real and apparent depth.


Real Depth is actual distance of an object beneath the surface, as would be
measured by submerging a perfect ruler along with it. Apparent depth in
a medium is the depth of an object in a denser medium as seen from the rarer
medium. Its value is smaller than the real depth.
Total internal reflection
If light is propagating from a more dense to a less dense medium, i.e. > ,
then sin 𝑟 > sin 𝑖 . Since 𝑠𝑖 ≤ 1, then the largest angle of incident for
which refraction is still possible is given by sin ≤ / . For larger angles of
incident, the incident ray does not cross the interface, but is reflected back instead.
The total internal reflection takes place when 𝑟 = 90°. Thus, we can find the
critical angle of incident from = sin 𝑐 (since sin 90° = 1) or 𝑐 =
sin− / .
Formation of rainbow

Rain drop The seven colors of the rainbow


1. Red
2. Orange

Reflection
3. Yellow
4. Green
5. Blue
6. Indigo
7. Violet
Violet
7 colors

Red
Rayleigh and Mie scattering
 Rayleigh scattering refers to elastic scattering of light by small particles
(e.g. 𝑂 , 𝑁 ) such that the intensity of scattered light is wavelength
dependent (𝐼 ∝ 𝜆−4 ) whereas Mie scattering refers to the scattering of
light by large particles (e.g. cloud droplets, haze) such that the larger the
particles, the more intense the light is scattered in the forward direction.
Differences
RAYLEIGH SCATTERING MIE SCATTERING

Scatter smaller particles like oxygen Scatter larger particles like cloud droplets

Scatter primarily shorter wavelengths Scatter all wavelengths

Blue light scatters in all directions Forward scatter is dominant

Explains why the sky appears blue Explains why fog or mist appears white
Worked examples
1. Show that the wavelength 𝜆, of light passing through a medium is related to the wavelength 𝜆0 , of
monochromatic light in vacuum as 𝜆 = 𝜆0 Τ , where is the refractive index of the medium.
 The wavelength 𝝀𝟎 , of monochromatic light in a vacuum is related to its frequency 𝒇, as 𝝀𝟎 = 𝒄/𝒇…… (1)
 For light passing through a medium, 𝝀 = 𝝂/𝒇……(2). Substituting 𝒇 from eqn. (1) in eqn. (2) we obtain
𝝀 = 𝝀𝟎 𝝂/𝒄……. (3). But 𝒏 = 𝒄/𝝂……(4). Substituting eqn. (4) in eqn. (3) yields 𝝀 = 𝝀𝟎 /𝒏 as required.

2. Using ray diagrams, state any two characteristics of images formed on concave mirror, object placed
beyond radius of curvature. Concave mirror
Characteristics of the image formed
 Real
 Inverted
 Formed on the same side of the mirror as the object
 Diminished
F C
 Formed between F and C
O C F
I
3. Which type of mirror is used by dentists and ophthalmic surgeons?
 Plane mirror
4. During a show, a magician makes a glass lens with = 1.47 disappear in a trough of liquid. What is the
refractive index of the liquid? Do you think the liquid could be water?
 The refractive index of the liquid must be equal to 𝟏. 𝟒𝟕 in order to make the lens disappear, i.e. 𝒏𝟏 =
𝒏𝟐 = 𝟏. 𝟒𝟕. This gives the power of the lens as 𝑷 = 𝟏/𝒇 = 𝟎 ⟹ 𝒇 ⟶ ∞. The lens in the liquid will
act like a plane sheet of glass. The liquid is not water since 𝒏𝒘 = 𝟏. 𝟑𝟑 ≠ 𝟏. 𝟒𝟕.

5. Find the angle of incidence when 110° is the angle between the incident wave and reflected wave.
 ∠𝒊 + ∠𝒓 = 𝟏𝟏𝟎°; 𝐛𝐮𝐭 ∠𝒊 = ∠𝒓 ⟹ 𝟐∠𝒊 = 𝟏𝟏𝟎° ⟹ ∠𝒊 = 𝟓𝟓°
6.
7.
8.

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