Light Waves and Optics

Since ancient times, the nature and properties of light have been intensively investigated in an attempt to address many of our needs for a better life on Earth. Today, scientists view the behavior of light as waves (electromagnetic waves) in some situations and particles(photons) in other situations. In this chapter, we briefly introduce aspects of light that are understood best when using wave models, as applied to geometrical and physical optics . First, we study the reflection and refraction of light at the boundary between two media. Then we study formation of images when using the two types of mirrors and lenses.