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Optics

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Optics

Rainbow Formation

An optical meteorological phenomenon caused by reflection, refraction, and chromatic dispersion of sunlight inside raindrops.

θ_primary ≈ 42° (Red outer, violet inner) Degrees (°)
Optics

Rayleigh Criterion

The condition for two point sources to be barely resolved by an optical instrument, stating that the central diffraction maximum of one…

θ_min = 1.22 λ / D rad (radians)
Optics

Rayleigh Scattering

The elastic scattering of light or electromagnetic radiation by particles much smaller than the light's wavelength.

I_scattered ∝ 1 / λ⁴ W/m²
Optics

Real Image

An optical image formed by actual convergence of light rays, which can be projected onto a physical screen.

v > 0 (for real image), m < 0 (inverted) m
Optics

Reflection

The bouncing back of a light ray or wave when it strikes a boundary surface between two different media without entering the second medium.

θ_i = θ_r Degrees (°)
Optics

Refraction

The bending of a light ray as it passes obliquely from one transparent medium into another with a different refractive index.

n1 sin θ1 = n2 sin θ2 (Snell's Law) Dimensionless (n)
Optics

Resolving Power

The ability of an optical instrument or grating to separate and distinguish two closely spaced point objects or adjacent spectral…

R = λ / Δλ = N m (Grating), RP = 1 / Δθ Dimensionless