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,...
Exploratorium
Exploratorium: Critical Angle
Students can see light reflected and refracted in this demonstration. They will also discover the total internal reflection of 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.
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...
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.
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
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.
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.
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 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.
Georgia State University
Georgia State University: Hyper Physics: Behavior of Incident Light
This site from Georgia State University is an indexing page for several other pages on the topic of reflection. Topics are treated in an understandable manner and utilize meaningful graphics.
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...
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.
University of St. Andrews (UK)
University of St. Andrews: Willebrord Snell
A fairly short biographical sketch of Willebrord Snell (1591-1626 CE). Discusses his upbringing, education and professional life.
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.
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).
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.
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.
Utah Education Network
Uen: Enlightening Explorations, Part Ii
This activity engages students in learning about light. Studets will describe how light is produced, reflected, refracted, and separated.
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
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.