Light & Optics on the MCAT: Snell’s Law, Total Internal Reflection, Thin Lens Equation

Light and optics show up everywhere on the MCAT, especially when physics meets biology (vision). In this Jack Westin MCAT Podcast episode, Mike and Molly break down the must-know foundations of light as a wave and how it behaves in optical systems so you can stop memorizing and start solving.You’ll learn:🌈 Light as a transverse wave and why it can travel in a vacuum🧮 The wave equation v = fλ and what actually changes when the medium changes🪞 Reflection basics: the law of reflection and the “angle is measured from the normal” trap💧 Refraction and why light “bends” when its speed changes📐 Snell’s Law (n₁sinθ₁ = n₂sinθ₂) and how to reason through relationship questions🔁 Total internal reflection + the critical angle (and real-world examples)🔍 Lenses vs mirrors, concave vs convex, and what “converging vs diverging” means👀 Real vs virtual images, and the high-yield patterns (SUV for diverging systems)🧾 The thin lens equation and magnification (and how to use them on test day)Watch next: Vision and the Eye (how optics becomes biology) in the next episode.Want to learn more? Shoot us a text at 415-855-4435 or email us at [email protected]! 📱📌 Free Academic Advising: https://calendly.com/academic-advising-4/jack-westin-academic-advising?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=podcast💻 Try our Chrome Extension (video solutions to every AAMC passage) https://tinyurl.com/4jw5pad8📚 Free Resources: https://jackwestin.com?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=podcast🎓 Live Education Sessions: https://jackwestin.com/sessions?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=podcast👨🏻‍🏫 Courses: https://jackwestin.com/courses?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=podcast🙋 Tutoring: https://jackwestin.com/services/live-online-mcat-tutoring?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=podcast📸 Follow Us On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jackwestinmcat?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=podcast👥 Join our Facebook Study Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/freemcatprep?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=podcast