Curated OER
Waves Worksheet
In this light waves activity, middle schoolers complete 7 short answer questions where they analyze and record findings about the properties of light waves.
Curated OER
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. Learners investigate...
Bowels Physics
Light, Reflection, and Mirrors
Explore the connection of light, reflection, and mirrors. A comprehensive lesson introduces the basics of light in relation to reflection and mirrors. After an explanation of the vocabulary, the presentation shows how to create ray...
Curated OER
The Work of Waves and Wind
This is not revolutionary, but it is informative. Earth science viewers in grades 7-12 get carried away with wave and wind erosion. They view diagrams of how waves impact ocean shorelines. They see examples of the different types of sand...
Rice University
College Physics for AP® Courses
Take a look at an organized physics course. The 34-section electronic textbook covers material in AP® Physics 1 and 2. Teachers use the text to supplement lectures and have the class work through the labs. Each section contains...
Curated OER
How Light Moves
Students study the movement of light. In this light lesson, students work in groups to participate in a light and shadow walk around their neighborhood. Students brainstorm rules for light movement and watch videos about light travel,...
Curated OER
The Space Cadet's Laboratory: Using Electromagnetic Energy to Study Astronomy
Young scholars build their own spectrophotometer to study light. In this physics lesson, students explain the dual nature of light. They calculate the angle of incidence and refraction using Snell's law equation.
Curated OER
Reflection Experiments
Seventh graders investigate with light rays. In this light lesson, 7th graders determine the angle of reflection using simple materials. They continue the investigation by exploring the theory that light which is not reflected or...
Curated OER
Light and Optics
In this light and optics worksheet, students match the light and optics vocabulary with their definitions. Students match 21 words to their definitions.
Cornell University
Spectral Analysis with DVDs and CDs
Build a spectrometer to analyze properties of light. Scholars examine the spectrum from CDs and DVDs from two different light sources. Using the spectrum, they work to identify different elements.
National Nanotechnology Infrastructure Network
Jell-O® Waveguide and Power Loss
Jell-O® can help model the transmission of light through fiber optic cables. Young scientists use the jiggly dessert to make a waveguide to transmit a laser beam from one point to another. Their models help them learn the function...
Curated OER
Rainbow Science
In this reading comprehension worksheet, students read five paragraphs about the science of rainbows. Students then answer several questions about the reading.
Curated OER
An Awareness of Light Made Simply Fun
Learners with sensory perception issues discover the properties of light through a series of excellent hands on activities. They look at beams of lights in a darkened room; use a kaleidoscope and optical illusions as they experience the...
Curated OER
Physical Principles in Living Systems
Seventh graders experiment with white light, plane mirrors, and curved mirrors in order to demonstrate the physical principles of living systems. In this physical principles lesson plan, 7th graders take 3 days to discover what happens...
Curated OER
Enlightening Explorations, Part III
Sixth graders continue their examination of light. In groups, they make rainbows and examine the spectrum of visible light. They travel between various stations recording their observations about the behaviors of light. To end the...
Curated OER
The Architectural Style of Frank Lloyd Wright
Learners explore the qualities of tangible and intangible using the architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright. After a brief introduction of the vocabulary, they use the internet to research the architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright. Once they...
Georgia State University
Georgia State University: Hyper Physics: Refraction of Light and Snell's Law
The meaning and cause of refraction--as well as Snell's law of refraction--are discussed. Includes an interactive problem-solving form in which visitors relate angles of refraction to the incident angle and the indices of refraction.
Physics Classroom
The Physics Classroom: Refraction/ray Model of Light: The Angle of Refraction
Focusing on the question, "By how much does light refract when it crosses a boundary?" this physics tutorial will allow students the opportunity to explore these concepts of refraction.
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Physical Science: Refraction
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Refraction of light in matter and how light changes its speed and angle of refraction according to the type of medium it is travelling through.
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Physical Science: Refraction of Light
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Discusses refraction of light in matter and how light changes its speed and angle of refraction according to the type of medium it is travelling through.
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.
Physics Classroom
The Physics Classroom: Refraction and Ray Model of Light: The Critical Angle
Illustrated examples and interactive practice problems that introduce students to the concept of the critical angle, the angle of incidence that provides an angle of refraction of 90-degrees.
University of Minnesota
University of Minnesota: Refraction of Light
This page is a continuation of a tutorial about light reflection and refraction. It contains a diagram and suggestions on how to derive Snell's Law, which governs the refraction of light in a medium. For background to this derivation,...
Physics Aviary
Physics Aviary: Practice Problems: Index of Refraction Problem
Use the angle of incidence and the angle of refraction to determine the index of refraction for a material.