Physics 2135 (Engineering Physics II)

Lecture 19-20: Electromagnetic Waves, Reflection, Refraction, and Dispersion

Objectives:
  • Understand and calculate parameters associated with electromagnetic waves
  • Calculate the energy carried by electromagnetic waves
  • Calculate the momentum associated with an electromagnetic wave
  • Calculate the radiation pressure exerted by an electromagnetic wave
  • Develop a general understanding of what light is and how it behaves
  • Determine the path of light rays using the laws of reflection and refraction
  • Determine the conditions under which total internal reflection occurs, and apply total internal reflection to fiber optic and similar materials
  • Understand that the index of refraction of a material is wavelength-dependent