EM to Optics 14 : Plane Waves
Channel: Adam Beatty
Date: 2013-08-11

In this video I continue with my tutorials on Electromagnetism to Optics which is pitched at university undergraduate level. I have intended for a long time to record videos which describe the transition made from classical electromagnetism to optics. In many respects these videos will cover 'wave' optics. I devote much time to discussing the complex exponential representation of waves, Maxwell's Equations, the wave equation etc.   I would like to apologise for my hand writing - I have just bought a new tablet and am getting used to writing with it. I can assure you that it is better for later videos!

Specifically here, I introduce the concept of plane waves. Such waves are very important as they can be created easily in a laboratory. In many respects, a spherical wave measured at a large distance from the source appears to be flat (or a plane). This is of course why humans thought the world to be flat for so long!

I hope it's of use!! Thank you for watching and I hope that this matches your requirements. Please feel free to provide feedback via comments and share with your friends.

See my website for more: www.universityphysicstutorials.com