Driving Question: How can we store more information on an optical disc?
Synopsis: Students will investigate the separation or track pitch for a CD and DVD and determine what the smallest possible separation or track pitch is for a Blu-Ray™ disc. Students will then develop a theoretical optical disc with a higher storage capacity.
Physical Science NYSSLS Standards: Students will
- Evaluate questions about the advantages of using a digital transmission and storage of information.
- Communicate technical information about how some technological devices use the principles of wave behavior and wave interactions with matter to transmit and capture information and energy.
Math Standards: Students will
- Use trigonometric ratios and the Pythagorean Theorem to solve right triangles in applied problems.
- Represent constraints by equations or inequalities, and by systems of equations and/or inequalities, and interpret solutions as viable or nonviable options in a modeling context.
OPT 110 Topics:
Our Understanding of Light – properties of waves
How Light Behaves – interference, diffraction
Light in Technology and Industry – lasers