Exploratorium
Exploratorium: Critical Angle
Students can see light reflected and refracted in this demonstration. They will also discover the total internal reflection of light.
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...
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Index of Refraction
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] In this module, discover and solve problems involving the index of refraction, and investigate problems involving Snell's Law.
Physics Classroom
The Physics Classroom: Refraction and the Ray Model of Light: Snell's Law
In this interactive physics tutorial, students will learn about a mathematical equation relating these two angles and the indices of refraction of the two materials on each side of the boundary.
Physics Aviary
Physics Aviary: Refraction Lab
This lab is designed to have students investigate the changes in angle that occurs when light changes from one medium to another. This video will help describe the problem: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gVyCECxhesU
Physics Classroom
The Physics Classroom: Refraction and the Ray Model of Light: Ray Tracing
In this illustrated physics tutorial, students investigate several of the types of problems that you will have to solve, and learn the task of tracing the refracted ray if given the incident ray and the indices of refraction.
Physics Classroom
The Physics Classroom: Refraction and Ray Model of Light: Boundary Behavior
In this illustrated physics tutorial, students investigate the connection between light reflection and light refraction.
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.
Walter Fendt
Walter Fendt: Reflection and Refraction of Light
Defines the refraction of light and provides an applet for investigating it.
Florida State University
Florida State University: Molecular Expressions: Refraction of Light
Manipulate the incident angle, color of light, wavelength, and medium to see how the refracted angle is affected.
University of Texas at Austin
The University of Texas Mc Donald Observatory: Super Gelatin
Students measure the angles of refraction of laser light traveling through gelatin, then plot their data to calculate the gelatin's index of refraction.
Other
Propagation of Light Using Geometry
A discussion of Christian Huygens' contribution to wave optics, and particularly to our understanding of the reflection and refraction of light. Excellent diagrams and a geometric proof on why the law of reflection is mathematically...
Other
Ntnu Virtual Physics Lab: Thick Lens Java Applet
An interactive Java applet which allows the user to investigate the path of light through a lens shape object. The shape of the object, the index of refraction of the material, and the location of the incident rays can be altered.
Scholastic
Scholastic: Study Jams! Science: Light Absorption, Reflection, & Refraction
A video and a short quiz on the properties of light.
Georgia State University
Georgia State University: Hyper Physics: Total Internal Reflection
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.
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Plix: Refraction: Light Entering Water
[Free Registration/Login Required] Explore how water distorts the location of objects due to the speed at which light travels through different mediums by moving the red point to adjust the angle of the fisherman's line of vision.
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.
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: When Silicon Talks
In this activity, students tackle this aspect of engineering as they solve problems for precise angles and speeds, and predict data output when samples are altered.
Georgia State University
Georgia State University: Hyper Physics: Methods of Polarization
At this college physics department site, the polarization of light is explained and illustrated as well as the primary methods of polarization (scattering, reflection, and refraction).
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...
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.
Physics Classroom
The Physics Classroom: Refraction/ray Model of Light: Determination of N Values
Through illustrated examples and interactive practice problems, students explore the details of Snell's Law.
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.
Incorporated Research Institutions for Seismology
Iris: Determining Shallow Earth Structure
Extend learners' learning of fundamental physics concepts (reflection, refraction and transmission of energy) through a real-world application.