Optics, the science of light, i.e., the range of wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation that may be perceived by the human eye. This range covers the wavelengths between λ=380 nm and λ=780 nm (1 nm=10−9 m). Electromagnetic radiation close to, but outside, the visible range is also included.
Optics deals with processes that occur when light interacts with media.
- 1.
Main characteristics of light
Propagation velocity of light, depends on the medium in which the light propagates.
Speed of light in vacuum, fundamental universal constant with the value
▲ In all media the speed of light is less than it is in vacuum.
■ The speed of light in water is 2.24 · 108 m/s, in glass (1.85 ± 0.25) · 108 m/s, in diamond 1.22 · 108 m/s.
Wavelengthλ and frequencyf are related to the speed of propagation c as follows:
Table 1
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© 2002 Springer-Verlag
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(2002). Optics. In: Benenson, W., Harris, J.W., Stocker, H., Lutz, H. (eds) Handbook of Physics. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/0-387-21632-4_11
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/0-387-21632-4_11
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