Introduction



Introduction
The MCAT Course
Learning Center
Question Server


Home
Guest Book
Resource Links
Contact Us

Log In
Cart Contents
Checkout

Shipping & Returns
Privacy
All Sciences Physics Chemistry Organic Biology

Module 18

Main Progression - The Properties of Light, Geometric Optics, and Wave Optics

Review & Preview - This is the first module in which we find ourselves responsible for the outlines of all four disciplines: Physics, General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry and Biology.

Knowledge Mapping - An intense and challenging set of discussions designed to help you integrate a great deal of physics and chemistry.

Verbal Reasoning and Essay - Continuing the regimin of reading program, exercise, and writing assignment.

Main Progression

Videos

Assignments


Orient yourself to the model systems and terminology of the Properties of Light before proceeding with the rest of your assignments. Browse the terminology and images within your Learning System Book, complete the basic terms Crossword Puzzle (Solution) and perform an online drill at the Question Server..
Master the Concept and Question cards for Electromagnetic Waves from the Learning System for Physics.
Perform the Properties of Light Practice Items, which have some items for Geometric and Wave Optics as well. Here is the Answer Key for the problem set.
Finish your Main Progression work on Electromagnetic Waves with a review tour of the Properties of Light external resources in the Learning Center.

Activate      

Goals


Possess at least a basic understanding of the description of light as electromagnetic waves.
Be able to give a conceptual summary of the meaning of the electric permittivity and magnetic permeability of space.
Understand basic properties of electromagnetic waves such as their transverse wave nature, the ability to travel in a vacuum, and polarizability.
Be able to identify the transitions as you move up in frequency thruogh the electromagnetic spectrum from radio waves all the way to gamma rays.
Possess a good comfort level carrying out basic harmonic wave computations involving wave speed, frequency, and wavelength in the context of electromagnetic radiation.
Understand basic problem solving involving reflection of light.
Know Snell’s Law backwards and forwards and know how to solve the basic conceptual and quantitative problems involving the transmission of light between media.
Be able to explain what is happening with the dispersion of light by a prism.
Understand what the critical angle is, which determines whether light will be transmitted or reflected at a border between two media.

Activate      



Videos

Assignments


Orient yourself to the conceptual field of Geometric Optics by browsing the terminology and images within your Learning System Book, complete the basic terms Crossword Puzzle (Solution) and perform an online drill at the Question Server.
Master the Concept and Question cards for Geometric Optics from the Learning System for Physics.
Here is a Summary Page for Simple Lenses and Mirrors.
Finish your Main Progression work on Harmonic Motion with a review tour of the Geometric Optics external resources in the Learning Center.

Activate      

Goals


Know how to distinguish virtual and real images and understand how examples of each are produced. Have a clear idea of what an optical image is.
Be prepared to construct a ray diagram for a concave or convex mirror as well as a converging or diverging simple lens.
Starting with the object on the principal axis very far away from a concave mirror, be able to imagine the transitions the image undergoes as you move the object closer in terms of the location of the image on the axis, whether it is real or virtual, upright or inverted, and magnified or diminished. Understand how to do the same thing with a converging lens.
Remember that the image created by a simple diverging lens as well as a convex mirror is always diminished, erect, and virtual (DEV).
Be able to interpret the lens makers equation in various contexts in a straightforward, common-sense way.
Know how to apply the principals of converging lenses to understanding the function of the human eye. Be able to relate these principals to farsightedness and nearsightedness.
Understand the meaning of the near point.
Be familiar with how to interpret compound optical devices such as the astronomical telescope and the compound microscope.
Be familiar with how to interpret compound optical devices such as the astronomical telescope and the compound microscope.

Activate      



Videos

Assignments


Warm up before watching the videos. Browse Wave Optics in your Learning System Book to get a feel for the field of reference. Perform your basic terms Crossword Puzzle (Solution) and perform an online drill at the Question Server.
Work through the Concept and Question cards for Wave Optics from the Learning System for Physics.
Close the circle with a review tour of the Wave Optics resources in the Learning Center.

Activate      

Goals


Understand diffraction in terms of Huygens’ Principal.
Comprehend how interference produces the pattern of light and dark fringes in Young’s double slit diffraction experiment.
Remember the distinction between hard and soft reflection.
Be able to describe how thin film interference produces the iridescent colors of soap bubbles. Be able to extend this understanding to similar interference phenomona such as observed with an air wedge.
Understand how the Michelson interferometer can be used to measure very small distances.
With regard to the Fraunhofer type of pattern produced with single slit diffraction, understand what determines the width of the central fringe and the location of maxima and minima.
Be able to apply principles from single slit diffraction to understanding the pattern of an airy disc which governs the resolution of optical instruments such as microscopes and astronomical telescopes. Remember Rayleigh’s criterion.
Be able to recall the means by which polarized light may be produced. Be familiar with Brewster’s angle.

Activate      



 

Review & Preview

Assignments


Take a quick review tour of the Physics section of ManDala from beginning to end. Concentrate on mastery of the Level 1 terminology. Test yourself on each chapter. Familiarize yourself with the figures. Set your pace to complete this task in no more than 3 hours. Keep your forward momentum. Get through it! (Note: Do not worry about the cosmology and particle physics areas of the Modern Physics chapter, which is not MCAT material.) What you are aiming for with this assignment is to get a bird's eye view on Physics from beginning to end: Mechanics, Gravitation, Waves, Thermodynamics, Electricity & Magnetism, Light & Optics, Modern Physics, and Nuclear Physics.
As in the first module of the course, spend some time practicing with the outline of physics HERE to make sure you can reproduce the outline in full if given a blank sheet of paper. Sit down and try to write it out until you can do it!

Activate      

Goals


Keep working on your ability to outline physics. Make sure you can outline Physics in a clear, conversational manner: Mechanics, Waves, Thermodynamics, Electricity & Magnetism, Light & Optics, Modern Physics, Nuclear Physics and then going further to the subtopic level within each of these topics. Within Mechanics, for example, you have Kinematics, Newton's Laws, Work & Energy, Momentum & Impulse, Rotation, Harmonic Motion, Elasticity, & Fluid Mechanics.
Hold yourself accountable for having a mental picture of the field of reference for each subtopic. Try to think of the simplest situation describing the phenomena. What is the simple model system for each subtopic?

Activate      



 

Knowledge Mapping

Assignments


Read the Coaching Discussions associated with the Main Progression topics of Rotation, Harmonic Motion, Elasticity, Fluid Mechanics and Waves. Start HERE and proceed by clicking 'Next Discussion'.

Activate      

Goals


Relate the special topics in mechanics: Rotation, Harmonic Motion, Elasticity, and Fluid Mechanics to the more fundamental topics: Kinematics, Newton's Laws, Work, Power & Energy, and Momentum & Impulse.

Activate      



 

Verbal Reasoning

Assignments


Two or three times this for this module, sit down for one half hour and read from the following works in the category of PHILOSOPHY. With the Santayana, which is a long work, read the first ten pages. Practice reading carefully and slowly. Find the voice in the writing Find the structure of argument. Don't zone out. This is exercise in sustaining attention and concentration. Grip down with your attention and don't let go.

accessibleWalking - Henry David Thoreau
moderateTerminus: of the Interpretation of Nature - Francis Bacon
difficultThe Life of Reason - George Santayana
Let's practice being an MCAT test writer. In this exercise, write a 'correct' and an 'incorrect' answer corresponding to questions following a typical verbal reasoning passage. Pretend you are part of a committee making the test, and your job is to write a 'best answer' and a 'second best' (tricky but wrong) answer. We will do this exercise often throughout the course to help you understand the nuances of the Verbal Reasoning questions. Print and complete this exercise. Click Here.

Activate      

Goals


Improve the stamina of your reading attention. Practice sustaining your focus through dense reading material.
Understand the intentions of the writers of Verbal Reasoning questions on the MCAT.
Verbal Reasoning Tip of the Week
Think for a moment after you read a prompt for an author's tone question. Take a moment to think before reading the answer choices. The shades of difference between the answer choices are usually subtle with author's tone questions. Don't let the answers dictate your impression.

Activate      



 

Essay

Video

Assignments


Read the WikiPremed guide to Writing the MCAT Essay.
Arrange a clear, undisturbed half hour to write an essay. Use your word processor. Click Here for your essay topic for module two. Don't advance to page 2 until you are ready to begin writing.

Activate      

Goals


Understand how to imagine a dialogue or debate as a generative device for writing MCAT essays.

Activate      









MECHANICS AND WAVES
Course
Modules


Kinematics
Newton's Laws
Work, Energy, and Power
Momentum and Impulse		MCAT course syllabus module 1
* * *
Rotation
Harmonic Motion
Elastic Properties of Solids
Fluid Mechanics
Waves		MCAT course syllabus module 2
FUNDAMENTAL FORCES

Gravitation
Electricity		MCAT course syllabus module 3
THE STRUCTURE OF MATTER

Atomic Theory
Periodic Properties
The Chemical Bond
Intermolecular Forces		MCAT course syllabus module 4

Functional Groups in Organic Chemistry
Stereochemistry		MCAT course syllabus module 5
THERMODYNAMICS AND KINETICS

Temperature and Heat Flow
The Ideal Gas and Kinetic Theory
The First Law of Thermodynamics
Stoichiometry
Thermochemistry		MCAT course syllabus module 6

The Second Law of Thermodynamics and Heat Engines
Chemical Thermodynamics and the Equilibrium State
The States of Matter
The Physical Properties of Organic Compounds
Chemical Kinetics		MCAT course syllabus module 7
SOLUTIONS AND AQUEOUS SYSTEMS

Water
Solutions
Acids and Bases
Organic Acids and Bases		MCAT course syllabus module 8
ORGANIC REACTION CHEMISTRY

Nucleophiles and Electrophiles
Intramolecular Cationic Rearrangements
Reactions with Radical Intermediates
Conjugated π Systems and Aromaticity
Reactions of Alkanes
Reactions of Alkenes
Reactions of Alkynes
Reactions of Alkyl Halides
Reactions of Allylic and Benzylic Conjugation
Reactions of Aromatic Compounds
Reactions of Alcohols and Ethers
Reactions of Aldehydes and Ketones
Reactions of Carboxylic Acids and Derivatives
Reactions of Amines
Reactions of Organic Phosphorus Compounds
Reactions of Organic Sulfur Compounds		MCAT course syllabus module 9
break
MCAT course syllabus module 10
BIOMOLECULES

Proteins
Carbohydrates
Nucleic Acids
Lipids		MCAT course syllabus module 11
THE CELL
Biological Membranes
The Prokaryotic Cell
The Eukaryotic Cell
BIOENERGETICS AND BIOSYNTHESIS

Coordination Chemistry
Oxidation/Reduction
Oxidation/Reduction in Organic Chemistry
Electrochemistry
Bioenergetics and Cellular Respiration
Photosynthesis  optional for MCAT
Integration of Metabolism		MCAT course syllabus module 12
GENETICS & REPRODUCTION

Gene Expression
Cellular Reproduction
Mendelian Genetics
Recombination and Mutation
The Molecular Biology Laboratory
Human Genetics		MCAT course syllabus module 13
DIVERSITY OF LIFE

Viruses
Monera
Protista  taxonomy optional for MCAT
Fungi
Plants  optional for MCAT

Animals  taxonomy optional for MCAT
Animal Development and Embryology		MCAT course syllabus module 14

Mammalian Tissues and Histology		MCAT course syllabus module 15
HUMAN PHYSIOLOGY
The Nervous System
Sensory Systems
The Endocrine System
The Musculoskeletal System
The Cardiovascular System
Blood
The Respiratory System
The Lymphatic System and Immunity
The Urinary System
The Digestive System and Nutrition
The Reproductive System
POPULATION BIOLOGY

Evolution
Ecology		MCAT course syllabus module 16
ELECTROMAGNETISM, LIGHT, AND MODERN PHYSICS

Electricity
DC Current
Magnetism
Electomagnetic Induction
AC Current		MCAT course syllabus module 17

The Properties of Light
Geometric Optics
Wave Optics		MCAT course syllabus module 18

Modern Physics  relativity optional for MCAT
Molecular Spectroscopy		MCAT course syllabus module 19
Molecular Spectroscopy
Nuclear Physics
break
MCAT course syllabus module 20
The WikiPremed MCAT Course is a free comprehensive course in the undergraduate level general sciences. Undergraduate level physics, chemistry, organic chemistry and biology are presented by this course as a unified whole within a spiraling curriculum.

Please read our policies on privacy and shipping & returns.  Contact Us.
MCAT is a registered trademark of the Association of American Medical Colleges, which does not endorse the WikiPremed Course.


Creative Commons License
WikiPremed is a trademark of Wisebridge Learning Systems LLC. The work of WikiPremed is published under a Creative Commons Attribution Share Alike 3.0 License. There are elements of work here, such as a subset of the images in the archive from WikiPedia, that originated as GNU General Public License works, so take care to follow the unique stipulations of that license in printed reproductions. You can use the resources here for commercial or non-commercial purposes, but please give attribution and a link to the production credits and edit history of the resource. For the works here which began as my individual work, please attribute "John Wetzel, an author at wikipremed.com". *