Last modified: 25 Mar 2016 11:32
For most of us, our
perceptions are governed most strongly by our vision. We speak of possessing a
worldview, seeing what someone says. We see because of light, but what is
light? As long as there has been science, light has been studied. It’s been
considered a particle, a wave, and in modern physics is somehow both. This
course explores the fascinating physics of this ubiquitous phenomenon, at an
elementary mathematical level suitable for non-science students. We’ll
cover petrological microscopy, of interest to geologists, interference and
diffraction, how colour works and see how polarized sun glasses operate.
| Study Type | Undergraduate | Level | 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Term | First Term | Credit Points | 15 credits (7.5 ECTS credits) |
| Campus | None. | Sustained Study | No |
| Co-ordinators |
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Particular subjects given extensive treatment include: diffraction, interference and polaristation, the functions of lasers and photonic devices and the phenomena governing the behaviour of lens systems.
Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.
1st Attempt: Final two-hour written exam (75%), 2 concept mapping exercises (5% total) and 3 in-class written exams distributed appropriately throughout the course (20% total).
Resit: Final two-hour written exam (75%), 2 concept mapping exercises (5% total) and 3 in-class written exams distributed appropriately throughout the course (20% total).
Tutorial sheets assisted by demonstrator, answers provided later.
The formative assessment is not marked, though the demonstrator checks work as the tutorial progresses and the students are later provided with worked solutions to the problems.
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