Galen C. Duree Jr.

Optics covers the study of light. Three phenomena — reflection, refraction, and diffraction — help you predict where a ray or rays of light will go. Study up on other important optics topics, too, including interference, polarization, and fiber optics.Reflection and refraction equations for predicting light's directionReflection and refraction are two processes that change the direction light travels.

Imaging is a key function of optics. Specific optics equations can help you determine the basic characteristics of an image and predict where it will form. Use the following optics equations for your imaging needs: Lateral magnification: Lateral magnification is one way you can describe how big the image is compared to the original object.

Reflection and refraction are two processes that change the direction light travels. Using the equations for calculating reflection and refraction, you can predict where rays encountering a surface will go — whether they reflect or refract (bounce off the surface or bend through it) — which is an important concept in the study of optics.

Besides imaging, fiber-optic networks are probably the largest application of optics. Fiber optics are very long, thin glass fibers that transfer information-bearing light from one place to another, but that may not be in direct sight of each other. You need to be aware of a few characteristics of the particular fiber you're using so that you can ensure the information is accurately transmitted from one end of the fiber to the other.

Optical interference is just the interaction of two or more light waves. Optical interference is useful in many applications, so you need to understand some basic equations related to this optical phenomenon. The following equations allow you to calculate various quantities related to optical interference in the two most common interference arrangements.

Diffraction is light's response to having something mess with its path, so diffraction occurs only when something blocks part of the wavefront. Diffraction is the phenomenon where light bends around an obstacle (this bending is not due to refraction, because the material doesn't change as refraction requires).

Optical polarization is the orientation of the planes of oscillation of the electric field vectors for many light waves. Optical polarization is often a major consideration in the construction of many optical systems, so equations for working with polarization come in handy. The following equations highlight some important polarization concepts.