This physics department site provides a definition and explanation of the phenomenon of total internal reflection. Includes a diagram and an equation for calculating the critical angle for light approaching a surface.

Article explaining what Digital Light Processing (DLP) technology is and how it works. Includes an animation to demonstrate the technology. (Published Fall 2007)

[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Students explain the ray model of light, describe the law of reflection, and investigate how images are formed from flat mirrors.

Students investigate an example of interference that provides further evidence in support of the wavelike behavior of light.

This site from Architectural Acoustics and Lighting provides a discussion of various factors affecting the acoustics of a given room. Room dimensions, the wavelength of the sound wave, the physical characteristics of the walls, the...

Part of an anecdotal history of optics and the study of light. Extremely thorough treatment of the invention of the telescope. Includes a short biographical sketch and discusses the work of Isaac Newton which focuses on his contribution...

To understand how bounded waves behave and how reflection of waves affects the wave components.

In this experiment, students construct models of larger red and smaller blue waves on index cards, and use them to investigate how light behaves when it is reflected off the front and the back of soap film.

View a total internal reflection by using gelatin and a laser with this activity.

The National Humanities Center presents collections of primary resources compatible with the Common Core State Standards - historical documents, literary texts, and works of art - thematically organized with notes and discussion...

Investigate the behavior of light that is reflected off a spherical mirrored surface.

Learn how rainbows work by reading this illustrated explanation.