Florida State University
Florida State University: Molecular Expressions Microscopy Primer: Light and Color Refraction of Light
Comprehensive and sophisticated overview of light refraction includes an historical overview of the subject and explanations of the mathematics that underpin refractive indexes, the relative index of refraction, Snell's law, and light...
Physics Classroom
The Physics Classroom: Refraction and the Ray Model of Light
Six complete lessons on refraction and the ray model of light. Tutorials include informational text, interactive activities, animations, and quick, interactive comprehension checks along the way.
University of Colorado
University of Colorado: Ph Et Interactive Simulations: Bending Light
Manipulate variables and measure angles as light is refracted in this interactive simulation.
University Corporation for Atmospheric Research
Ucar: Measuring Density by Bending Light
Students observe how different materials bend light, and how we can infer the nature of the material based on the amount it bends light rays.
Exploratorium
Exploratorium: Science Snacks: Physics/light
Here is a large collection of simple science class activities for understanding the physics of light.
Math Science Nucleus
Math/science Nucleus: Light Magic
This animation discusses light and the properties of light in a storybook format. The animations cover the colors of the rainbow (ROYGBIV) along with prisms, light waves, reflection, and refraction.
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Stations of Light
Student groups rotate through four stations to examine light energy behavior: refraction, magnification, prisms and polarization. They see how a beam of light is refracted (bent) through various transparent mediums. While learning how a...
ClassFlow
Class Flow: What Is Light?
[Free Registration/Login Required] This flipchart reviews the characteristics of light and its properties. Students are given examples of reflection, refraction, and lens types. An assessment component is included.
University of Colorado
University of Colorado: Ph Et Interactive Simulations: Bending Light
Explore bending of light between two media with different indices of refraction. See how changing from air to water to glass changes the bending angle. Play with prisms of different shapes and make rainbows.
Georgia State University
Georgia State University: Hyper Physics: Prisms
This physics department site explains how prisms work and their purpose in the dispersion of light. Explains the angle of deviation and includes an interactive form in which visitors calculate the angle of deviation and receive immediate...
Physics Classroom
The Physics Classroom: Refraction/ray Model of Light: Light Dispersion Prisms
A tutorial which introduces students to the dispersion of light in more detail, and investigates the reasons why different frequencies of light bend or refract different amounts when passing through the prism.
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: The Energy of Light
For this introduction to light energy, students learn about reflection and refraction as they learn that light travels in wave form. Through hands-on activities, they see how prisms, magnifying glasses and polarized lenses work. They...
Utah Education Network
Uen: Enlightening Explorations, Part Ii
This lesson engages students in learning about light. Studets will describe how light is produced, reflected, refracted, and separated.
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: An Experiment With Light Rays and a Prism
This passage will test your knowledge on reflection and Refraction - Passage 2.
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Plix: Color: Light in a Prism
[Free Registration/Login Required] Explore how light is refracted when visible light enters, passes through, and exits the prism by moving the red dot to adjust the angle of white light shining on the prism.
Georgia State University
Georgia State University: Hyper Physics: Reflection and Refraction
Reflection and refraction are explained with an experiment that uses a sheet of paper, cardboard, and other common materials.
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Dispersion
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Students investigate the dispersion of light through a prism and solve practice problems involving this phenomenon.
Georgia State University
Georgia State University: Hyper Physics: Dispersion
The phenomenon of light dispersion is explained with a formula and a practice form for calculating Abbe's number.
Curated OER
Reekos Mad Scientist Lab: Light Refraction
Here are simple instructions for creating a prism using a glass of water, a small mirror, and a piece of paper.
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: Measuring Sugar Content of a Liquid With a Laser Pointer
Here's a project that shows you how to use a laser pointer and some knowledge of physics to figure out the concentration of sugar dissolved in a liquid.
Utah Education Network
Uen: Enlightening Explorations, Part Iii
This lesson contains the following labs: Rainbows, Refraction with Prisms, and What Color Is It? Students will study light by reading various nonfiction texts and viewing a video lesson. Then students will engage in the following labs:...
University of Wisconsin
The Why Files: Make a Rainbow
Make a rainbow by changing angles and placement of the observer, the sun, and the rain.