Lecture 16: 2D and 3D Waves, Snell's Law

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Lecture Topics

  • Geometrical optics
  • 2-dimensional waves
  • 3-dimensional waves
  • Refraction law
  • Snell’s law

Lecture Video: 2D and 3D waves, Snell’s Law

The main focus of the lecture is the mathematical description of 2D and 3D waves. Prof. Lee also shows that the wave description of light leads to reflection law and Snell’s laws in geometrical optics.

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Lecture Notes

This resource may not render correctly in a screen reader.Typed Notes for Lecture 16 (PDF - 1.8MB)

This resource may not render correctly in a screen reader.Handwritten Notes for Lecture 16 (PDF - 2.6MB)

Textbook Reading

Chapter 11: Two and Three Dimensions (PDF - 1.8MB) 

Chapter 12: Polarization (PDF - 1.4MB) (through section 12.3) 

In-class Demonstrations

HOW IT'S DONE SEE IT IN THE LECTURE
Chladni Figures (Speaker Driven) @ 00:41:02
Oscillating Soap Film @ 00:50:26 and @ 01:17:42

Related Resources

Video: Total Internal Refraction by Khan Academy

Video: Snell's Law by Khan Academy

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