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Fascinating Applications of Light: From Diamonds to Rainbows

Light exhibits fascinating properties in different media, influencing how we perceive the world. In a vacuum, all wavelengths travel at the same speed, approximately 3 x 10^8 m/s. However, in other materials, this speed varies, leading to phenomena such as dispersion. For instance, red light refracts the least, while violet refracts the most. Total internal reflection explains why diamonds sparkle and how fiber optics ensure seamless communication. Rainbows emerge from the interplay of dispersion and internal reflection in raindrops, showcasing the beauty of light.

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Fascinating Applications of Light: From Diamonds to Rainbows

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  1. Cool Applications of Light!

  2. Fun Fact: • For any given medium other than a vacuum, different wavelengths (colors) of light travel at different speeds within that medium! • This means that the index of refraction for a substance actually depends on the color of light traveling through it. • Quick Review: • All wavelengths of light travel at the same speed in a vacuum. How fast do they go? • 3 x 108 m/s • For all other media, will light travel faster or slower than this speed? • Slower!

  3. This property of light is called dispersion. • The color that refracts the least from its straight line path is red. • The color that refracts the most from its straight line path is violet.

  4. What makes diamonds sparkle? • How do fiber optics keep us communicating? • How do those cool holiday decoration light up? • When light passes from a more dense medium (high n value) to a less dense medium (lown value) at a certain angle, all light is reflected back into the first medium and there is no refracted ray. • Let's see it!

  5. This property of light is called total internal reflection. • The angle at which this will occur is called the critical angle. • TIR results in a refracted angle of 90°. • This means that Snell’s Law for TIR is: • n1sinѲ1= n2sinѲ2 • n1sinѲc = n2sin(90°) • n1sinѲc = n2(1) • sinѲc = n2 n1 Make sure your calculator is in degree mode!

  6. Examples • What is the critical angle for light traveling from diamond (n = 2.42) to air? • sinѲc = n2= 1.00 Ѳc = 24.4° n1 2.42 • What about diamond to water? • sinѲc = n2= 1.33Ѳc = 33.3° n1 2.42 • What about water to diamond? • Not possible!

  7. Demos

  8. Rainbows are a result of both dispersion and total internal reflection. • (White) light from the sun enters the front surface of a raindrop • It is dispersed or separated into its composite colors • As light hits the back surface of the raindrop it is trying to go from a more dense medium (water) to a less dense medium (air) at an angle beyond the critical angle • TIR results and the light is sent back towards the front of the drop where it is refracted again

  9. Each part of a rainbow that will form depends on the angle at which the drop is located to us • From your perspective, red will always be visible at the top of the rainbow and violetat the bottom

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