PHYSICS OF LIGHT AND COLOR

15-030-134

University of Cincinnati

FALL QUARTER 2001-02

Syllabus

 

PROFESSOR HENRY FENICHEL

Office:  447 Geo/Phys (Hours:  T,H 11:00  - 12:00)

E-mail:       henry.fenichel@uc.edu   Tel: 556 0643

   WEB:           http:// www.physics.uc.edu/~fenichel

 

Physics Learning Center  -  304 Geo/Phys

 

Text:  "Light & Color in Nature and Art"

by Samuel J. Williamson, Herman Z. Cummins (John Wiley, 1983)

 

WEEK             LECTURE MATERIAL                         READING                QUESTIONS

 

 9/17               Introduction; Waves                           1/1‑3

4/2,3                        4/1,3,4,7

 

 9/24               Physical properties of light                 4/8; 5/3,4                 4/15,17,18

Origin of Color                                    2/1‑4                       5/7,8; 2/1,3,4,6,10

 

10/1                Mixtures                                              2/5‑7                       2/18,19

3/1,2,4,6

 

10/8                Color Systems                                    3/1‑8                       3/8,10,12‑14,20,21

EXAM #1                                            Appendix 3A

 

10/15              Photometry                                         6/1‑8                       6/1,2,4,6,7,12,13

 

10/22              Light sources                                     7/1‑7                       7/1,2,6,8,9,14‑16

5/7,8                        5/10,11,13,18,19

 

10/29              Geometrical Optics                             2/8; 5/1,2                 5/1,3  8/1,2,5,6,

8/1‑12                     8‑10,17,24,25

 

11/5                Photography, Eye                              9/1‑10                     9/4,5,10

                                                           10/1‑3                     10/1,3,9,10

 

11/12              Interference/Holography                     4/4,5,6; 5/4              4/5,6

EXAM #2                                            12/1‑5                     12/1,2,5,6,10

Last day to withdraw: 11/16/00           Appendix 4B

 

11/19              Atmospheric  Effects                          14/1‑5                     14/2,4,6,8,12

   Thanksgiving

 

11/26              Perception                                          10/4,9‑12                10/13‑16

Art                                                      11/1‑3,12                11/2,4,6

 

12/5                FINAL EXAM          Wednesday, 1:30‑3:30 PM

 

                                                          GOAL OF THE COURSE

 

Light and color have an impact on virtually every phase of human experience, since we perceive the world largely through vision.  Observation of natural phenomena such as rainbows and sunsets, recognition of the objects about us - art, books, television, theater, advertising - all involve the subtle interplay of light and color.   This course is intended to be an introduction to the science of optics, light and color primarily for students without a background in other courses in college physics or mathematics. Broadly speaking the topics covered in the course include: wave motion, the physical properties of light, light sources, the origin of color, color mixtures, optical instruments, photography, holography, the eye and vision. The focus of the course will be the laws and principles of physics that govern the properties of light, radiation and vision.  Thus, the course helps direct the student to a new and critical understanding of phenomena they have already observed. 

 

 

                                                                 STUDY HINTS

 

* Form a study group.

* Read the introduction and summary sections first.

* Read the entire chapter quickly to obtain the main ideas and concepts.

* Re read each section of the chapter slowly trying to understand each idea.

* Attend the lectures; ask questions in class or after class.

* Write your own review notes with all the facts and equations you need to solve problems.

* Work on the assigned questions at the end of the chapter.

                   * If help is needed, ask for help at the Physics Learning Center, or professor’s office hours.

* Do not get behind on the scheduled material.

* Try to spend some time, at least every other day, studying physics.

 

                       

 

HINTS FOR TAKING EXAMS

 

A.                     Before the exam

                  *Review the Summary in the text, your class notes and your review notes.

                  *Study all examples done in class

                  *Study all assigned questions.

 

B.                     During the Exam

* First, read each exam question.

* Begin with the question you find the easiest.

* Allocate enough time for each question.

* If stuck on one question go to the next question and return to where you got stuck later.

* If time is available, recheck each question before submitting the exam.

 

C.                     After the Exam

* Check the posted exam solutions.  They will be reviewed at the next class.

* Make sure you understand the solution of each question.     

 

 

GRADING

 

This course will have two hourly examinations scheduled during the quarter and a final exam given during the finals week.  The course grade will be determined as follows:

 

 

WEB                             -  15%                                                                          

Hourly exams                  -  30% + 15%  (30% for the one with the higher score)

Final Exam                      -  40%