Dear all,

This week was focused on the nature of light. Specifically, we worked on the classical views and experiments of light. Newton’s optics experiments were revolutionary in the history of light physics. We examined his experiments and the lens with which they were viewed. It was always important to the discussion to look at historical vs. modern theory, getting a perspective of the progression of physics over the centuries. Central to this discussion was wave theory and the mechanical behavior of waves. 

This led into our experiment. Using springs, we studied how different energies created different patterns in our model waves, getting an understanding of general wave behavior. With these observations the theoretical aspects of light properties were rendered crystal clear. 

We concluded as we began by talking about how light is a lot like a time machine, beyond the mechanical aspects of waves, light and the way it moves is fundamental to our perception of day to day life, and the universe as a whole.