OPT-001 · Introduction to optics and electromagnetic waves Sample material

History of optics

The subject and branches of optics, the evolution of ideas about light from antiquity to quantum optics, the links between optics and other sciences, and the objectives of the course.

Estimated time: 2 h 10 min 3 activities

Learning objective

Become familiar with the subject, branches and methods of optics.
Study the historical development of corpuscular, wave and quantum ideas about light.
Analyse the historical methods of measuring the speed of light.
Understand the links between optics, other branches of physics and the natural sciences.

Expected outcomes

Distinguishes the main branches of optics and their models.
Links the key discoveries in the history of optics with scientists and dates.
Can calculate the speed of light using the methods of Rømer, Bradley, Fizeau and Michelson.
Explains the essence of wave–particle duality.

Interactive modelHistory of science: key discoveries

Activities

Lecture · 55 min · required
Problem solving on the topic “History of optics”
Practice · 55 min · required
Final test
Test · 20 min · required · pass ≥ 70%

Completion conditions

  • Lecture
  • Problem solving on the topic “History of optics”
  • Final test — at least 70%