Sample interview questions: Can you explain the fundamental principles of optics?
Sample answer:
Fundamental Principles of Optics
Electromagnetic Radiation
- Light is a form of electromagnetic radiation, consisting of electric and magnetic fields that oscillate perpendicular to each other and the direction of propagation.
- The speed of light in a vacuum is a constant (c ≈ 3 × 10^8 m/s).
- Electromagnetic radiation can be characterized by its wavelength (λ), frequency (ν), and energy (E).
Reflection and Refraction
- Reflection: Light striking a surface bounces off, obeying the law of reflection (angle of incidence = angle of reflection).
- Refraction: Light entering a different medium (e.g., from air to glass) bends, following Snell’s law (n_1 sinθ_1 = n_2 sinθ_2, where n is the refractive index).
Lenses
- Lenses are optical devices that focus or diverge light.
- Convex lenses (converging) cause light to converge after passing through them, forming an image.
- Concave lenses (diverging) cause light to diverge after passing through them, creating a virtual image.
Image Formation
- The image formed by a lens dep… Read full answer