All Questions
Tagged with classical-mechanics optics
37
questions
-3
votes
1
answer
56
views
Why aren't all objects and their images same in size?
Suppose there is an object in front of a convex lens and we know that the light rays from each point on the surface of object will converge at a different point and form an image. So that means that ...
- 97.9k
3
votes
0
answers
46
views
Relating Brachistochrone problem to Fermat's principle of least time [closed]
When I came across the Brachistochrone problem, my teacher said we could relate it to Fermat's principle of least time.
So, we could make many glass slabs of high $\mathrm dx$, and every slab has a ...
- 207k
3
votes
1
answer
90
views
Reflection coefficient: Acoustics vs Mechanics
I recently tried to derive the reflection coefficient $R$. This is not a complicated task, however after making some literature research I found two derivations which arrive at seemingly different ...
- 2,270
0
votes
0
answers
13
views
Simultaneous measurement of the size and mass of nanoparticles in liquid
The size of colloidal nanoparticles in a liquid can be measured from optical reflectance (or absorption) spectra. The smaller the metal (semiconductor) nanoparticle, the more its color shifts to the ...
- 158
5
votes
3
answers
630
views
Is Principle of Least Action a first principle? [closed]
It is on the basis of Principle of Least Action, that Lagrangian mechanics is built upon, and is responsible for light travelling in a straight line.
Is its the classical equivalent of Schrodinger's ...
- 1,988
18
votes
7
answers
2k
views
When/why does the principle of least action plus boundary conditions not uniquely specify a path?
A few months ago I was telling high school students about Fermat's principle.
You can use it to show that light reflects off a surface at equal angles. To set it up, you put in boundary conditions, ...
- 21.4k
4
votes
3
answers
292
views
Lossless beam splitter relations
Wikipedia says that for a beam splitter $$\begin{bmatrix}E_{c}\\
E_{d}
\end{bmatrix}=\begin{bmatrix}r_{ac} & t_{bc}\\
t_{ad} & r_{bd}
\end{bmatrix}\begin{bmatrix}E_{a}\\
E_{b}
\end{bmatrix}$$ ...
- 46.1k
1
vote
0
answers
94
views
The tilting of solar cells and their efficiency
This is a thought experiment I am considering. It concerns putting solar panels on a flat roof. The question is whether one should tilt them. Whilst there are more mundane reasons for tilting them (eg ...
- 867
-1
votes
2
answers
184
views
How can solve to calculate position of image for any random point and random paraxial rays?
I am a high school student and I have a confusion related to optics {image formation via spherical mirrors) in all my books they say to find location of image its convenient to use the following rays&...
CommunityBot
- 1
0
votes
0
answers
56
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Are there any videos of diffraction grading experiments one photon at a time?
I have seen the video of a double slit one photon at a time but wondering if there is a video of a Diffraction grading experiment one photon at a time.
- 4,083
0
votes
0
answers
40
views
Stroboscopic effect
Can you explain why exactly when I see the rotating blades of a fan or helicopter, there are dark patches and the patches start rotating slowly and even start moving in the reverse direction when seen ...
- 997
2
votes
2
answers
39
views
Is this interference or superimposed image?
When you overlay two identical screens a new patterns forms as they offset. See image:
The two screens are not touching or interacting with each other.
Are the different patterns we see as the two ...
- 8,898
1
vote
1
answer
53
views
Reflection on moving mirrors [closed]
Say I have an endless mirror, in a x y plane, at y=1.
Situation 1: the mirror is stationary and when we send light vertically from the origin, the light reflects back and returns to the origin.
...
- 59.6k
1
vote
0
answers
19
views
Energy flux proportionality
It is considered trivial in texts that if:
$J \propto \frac{\partial \psi}{\partial x} \frac{\partial \psi}{\partial t}$
Where $J$ is the energy flux, then $J$ is proportional to the amplitude of the ...
- 1,038
0
votes
2
answers
63
views
My question is about ray optics particularly image defects
I was learning about spherical abberation and in my book
it is written that when parallel rays pass through lens marginal rays (which are far from principal axis) are bent more than paraxial rays(...
- 2,988