Optics concerns the study of light and optical devices such as mirrors, lenses, cameras, etc. it is taught second semester only by Mr. Donaldson. Students taking optics must have completed one semester of calculus, either via the Magnet's Analysis I or the main school's AP Calculus class.

A quick rundown of topics discussed in Optics includes:

• Prove that angle of reflection equals angle of incidence.
• Prove that rays parallel to the axis of a parabolic mirror meet at the mirror's focus.
• Use the generalized binomial theorem to prove that a parabola can be approximated by a circle near the axis of the parabola.
• Use differential calculus to prove Snell's Law.
• Use Snell's Law to determine the path of alight ray through a prism or a thick lens.
• Use matrix methods to simplify calculation of a path through a thick lens.
• Simplify lens calculations by assuming a very thin lens
• Determine the position, size, and orientation of an image caused by a diverging or converging thin lens.
• Describe the operation of the eye.
• Explain total internal reflection and determine the critical angle.
• Describe dispersion and explain the rainbow.
• Determine Doppler shift in apparent frequency as a function of the relative speed of the emitter and receiver.
• Design and build a single lens reflex camera.
• Explain both depth of field and f-stop.
• Predict by phasor addition the pattern of light caused by interference of light passing through one or more thin slits.
• Explain the Michelson interferometer.
• Predict the color of light caused by multiple reflections from a thin film.
• Explain the theory and use of a diffraction grating.
• Describe and explain the various ways in which light can be polarized.
• Determine Brewster's Angle for complete polarization.
• Explain the Rømer and Foucault methods for determining the speed of light.