AP Physics B

AP Physics B covers fundamental concepts in physics, including mechanics, thermodynamics, and waves, preparing students for college-level physics courses.

Advanced Topics

Optics and Light

The Science of Light

Optics is the study of light—how it travels, bends, and forms images. Light behaves both like a wave and a particle (wave-particle duality).

Key Ideas

  • Reflection: Light bouncing off a surface (like a mirror).
  • Refraction: Bending of light as it passes from one medium to another.
  • Lenses and Mirrors: Used to focus or spread light, forming images in cameras and eyes.

Why it Matters

Optics is essential for glasses, microscopes, telescopes, and fiber optic communication.

Examples

  • A straw looks bent in a glass of water because of refraction.

  • Eyeglasses help people see clearly by using lenses to focus light.

In a Nutshell

Optics explains how light works, letting us see, take photos, and transmit data.