Waves and Optics with Lab

Catalog description

An advanced study of waves and optics, with explicit investigation into mechanical and electromagnetic waves. Topics include (but are not limited to): simple harmonic motion, superposition, dampening, forced oscillations, beats, elasticity, coupling, normal modes, polarization, constructive and destructive interference, single and double slit interference, diffraction gratings, lenses, ray optics, geometric optics, physical optics, beams, and Doppler effect. The course is a very lab intensive class taught in a semi inquiry-based manner. The class and lab are heavily integrated.