What is Optics? | Optics for Kids

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Optics includes the study of sight.</p> <footer class="blockquote-footer"><em>1541, from M.Fr. optique, obtique (c.1300), from M.L. opticus "of sight or seeing," from Gk. optikos "of or having to do with sight," from optos "seen, visible," from op-, root of opsesthai "be going to see," related to ops "eye," from PIE *oqw- "eye/see" (see eye). Optics "science of sight and light" is from 1579; optician is first attested 1687, after Fr. opticien.</em></footer> </blockquote> <p>Optics is the science of light. You rely on optics every day. Your digital camera, wireless mouse, and even your Blu-ray disc of your favorite movie are all technologies enabled by the science of optics. More specifically, optics is a branch of physics describing how light behaves and interacts with matter. OK, that sounds like something your 5th period teacher rambles on about, - right?</p> <p>Think of it this way…The power and special properties of light can be used to explore the universe, monitor the environment, and even solve crimes. By utilizing their knowledge of how light behaves under different conditions, scientists and engineers create cool technologies that make your world better.</p> <p>Start your exploration of the science of light by checking out some of the topics below! </p> </div> </div> </div> <div> </div> <div class="alert alert-info cms-label"> These are the Page documents under this node </div> <div class="grid-container grid-container--col-3"> <div class="card card-outline-light"> <div class="card-body"> <div class="media"> <div class="media-body"> <h5 class="media-header mt-0">Optics Dictionary</h5> <p></p> </div> <a href="/what-is-optics/optics-dictionary"> <img class="d-flex align-self-start link-item__image" src="https://dg3pr45u97c3u.cloudfront.net/o4k/media/o4kmedia/siteimages/img_3126-test.jpg" alt="Two girls looking through lenses" /> </a> </div> <a class="btn btn-material btn-explore" href="/what-is-optics/optics-dictionary">EXPLORE</a> </div> </div> <div class="card card-outline-light"> <div class="card-body"> <div class="media"> <div class="media-body"> <h5 class="media-header mt-0">Optics Timeline</h5> <p></p> </div> <a href="/what-is-optics/optics-timeline"> <img class="d-flex align-self-start link-item__image" src="https://dg3pr45u97c3u.cloudfront.net/o4k/media/o4kmedia/siteimages/optical-clock.jpg?ext=.jpg" alt="an optical clock" /> </a> </div> <a class="btn btn-material btn-explore" href="/what-is-optics/optics-timeline">EXPLORE</a> </div> </div> <div class="card card-outline-light"> <div class="card-body"> <div class="media"> <div class="media-body"> <h5 class="media-header mt-0">Basics</h5> <p></p> </div> <a href="/what-is-optics/basics"> <img class="d-flex align-self-start link-item__image" src="https://dg3pr45u97c3u.cloudfront.net/o4k/media/o4kmedia/siteimages/landing-images/o4k-default-header-prisms.jpg?ext=.jpg" alt="" /> </a> </div> <a class="btn btn-material btn-explore" href="/what-is-optics/basics">EXPLORE</a> </div> </div> <div class="card 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href="/what-is-optics/medical-applications">EXPLORE</a> </div> </div> <div class="card card-outline-light"> <div class="card-body"> <div class="media"> <div class="media-body"> <h5 class="media-header mt-0">Reflection</h5> <p></p> </div> <a href="/what-is-optics/reflection"> <img class="d-flex align-self-start link-item__image" src="https://dg3pr45u97c3u.cloudfront.net/o4k/media/o4kmedia/siteimages/landing-images/reflection-header.jpg?ext=.jpg" alt="" /> </a> </div> <a class="btn btn-material btn-explore" href="/what-is-optics/reflection">EXPLORE</a> </div> </div> <div class="card card-outline-light"> <div class="card-body"> <div class="media"> <div class="media-body"> <h5 class="media-header mt-0">Refraction</h5> <p></p> </div> <a href="/what-is-optics/refraction"> <img class="d-flex align-self-start link-item__image" src="https://dg3pr45u97c3u.cloudfront.net/o4k/media/o4kmedia/siteimages/landing-images/refraction-color-reflection.jpg?ext=.jpg" alt="" /> </a> </div> <a class="btn 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What is Optics? | Optics for Kids