For the test over diffraction, interference,
and polarization, you should know:
The meaning of the terms: diffraction, constructive interference, destructive interference, polarization, optically active, dichroic, monochromatic, optical rotation, structural color, interferometer, polarimeter
The types of interference patterns produced by thin films, single-slit devices, and double-slit devices, for monochromatic and polychromatic light sources.
The discoveries of Young and Fresnel.
The phase properties of the two reflected beams in thin films.
The polarization characteristics of most light sources.
The different ways to polarize light
The operation of Polaroid filters to block some light waves or totally block polarized light.
The plane of polarization of reflected light
What type of waves can be polarized, and how.
Who developed the method for producing polarizing filters, what he called his corporation, and what his most famous invention was.
The mechanism of double refraction in certain crystals and the relation to Snell's law and speed of light transmission.
The effect of small suspended particles in a transparent medium on light
The mechanism behind the formation of blue sky and orange sunsets.
How to calculate the wavelength of a light source, given the diffraction grating constant and the distance from the central image of the diffracted image.
The frequency range of the visible spectrum and associated colors
