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Photonics Practice Sheet
Introduction
Photonics is the study of the behavior and properties of light. It is a branch of electrical engineering and involves the use of light as a source of energy, information, and communication.
Basic Concepts
- What is the difference between a photon and an electron?
A photon is a particle of light, while an electron is a particle of matter. Photons have no mass and can travel at the speed of light, while electrons have mass and travel at slower speeds.
- What is refraction?
Refraction is the bending of light as it passes through a medium, such as water or glass. This is due to the fact that light travels at different speeds in different materials.
- What is the difference between a laser and a light bulb?
A laser produces a narrow beam of light, while a light bulb produces a broad beam of light. Lasers are used in many applications, such as laser pointers and laser cutting.
Practice Problems
- Calculate the refractive index of a medium if the angle of incidence is 30 degrees and the angle of refraction is 15 degrees.
The refractive index of the medium is 2, since the ratio of the angle of incidence to the angle of refraction is 2:1.
- A light beam is incident on a glass surface at an angle of 45 degrees. Calculate the angle of refraction.
The angle of refraction is 22.5 degrees, since the ratio of the angle of incidence to the angle of refraction is 1:2.
