University Corporation for Atmospheric Research
Ucar: About Rainbows
This site from the University Corporation of Atmospheric Research provides an illustrated article about the phenomenon of rainbows.
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12 Exploration Series: Simulations: Physics: Diamond Cut
[Free Registration/Login Required] A simulation investigating why a diamond shines by looking at refraction, reflection, and total internal reflection.
Georgia Department of Education
Ga Virtual Learning: Physical Science: Light and Optics
Students will investigate the properties of light waves. They will learn about the different types of electromagnetic waves and mechanical waves, and investigate the phenomena of reflection, refraction, interference, and diffraction.
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.
Other
New Dana System Mineralogy Database
Over 3,900 mineral species descriptions are included in this HTML-linked table of Dana classifications for all known valid mineral species. 3-D models are available for over 600 minerals.
Florida State University
Florida State University: Science, Optics & You: Willebrord Snell
Biography of Willebrord Snell (1580-1626), a Dutch mathematician known best for his work in refractive indices.
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Physics Simulation: Least Time
[Free Registration/Login Required] Explore how Snell's Law arises out of the principle of least time; understand how light rays change direction at interfaces between materials using this interactive simulation. A PDF worksheet and a...
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.
Other
The Disgustoscope
This is a resource to teach optics, while building a modified kaleidoscope that will provide 3-dimensional images.
Georgia Department of Education
Ga Virtual Learning: Astronomers' Tools
In this interactive tutorial students will learn about a few of the instruments used to further our knowledge of the Universe around us.
Wolfram Research
Wolfram Science World: Bernoulli, Johann (1667 1748)
This site from ScienceWorld contains a short but factual biography of Johann Bernoulli. Includes a picture, along with quite a few links that contain additional information on related subjects.
Physics Classroom
The Physics Classroom: Light Waves and Color
The behavior of light waves is introduced and discussed. Also, polarization, color, diffraction, and interference are introduced and discussed thoroughly as supporting evidence of the wave nature of light.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Mit: Open Course Ware: Courses: Physics: Electricity and Magnetism
College-level physics course highlighting electromagnetism. This course also includes a wide variety of other physics topics including lightning, electrocardiograms, metal detectors, and atom smashers, to name a few. Course includes a...
Curated OER
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.
Other
Weather Photography
Source of information on the subject of weather photography. There are great links, images and tips on equipment to use. For the intermediate to advanced photographer.
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: Project Ideas: Bitter to Sweet: Sugar Changes in Ripening Fruit
In this science fair project, use a refractometer to measure changes in sugar content in ripening fruit. The Science Buddies project ideas are set up consistently beginning with an abstract, objective, and introduction, followed by a...
Georgia State University
Georgia State University: Hyper Physics: Sound Propagation
This page and the many pages which are indexed to focus on the behaviors of sound which characterize it as a wave. Reflection, refraction, interference, diffraction and more are clearly illustrated and explained.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Asbestos Hazard Assessment
This interactive site introduces students to concepts related to asbestos and how geologists analyze asbestos in building materials. The site is divided into three components: the geology of asbestos, identifying asbestos in the lab, and...
Curated OER
Weather Dude: Rainbows
Informational site allows users to discover what makes a rainbow. Discover how they form and learn some interesting facts about them along the way.
Educaplus (Jesús Peñas Cano)
Educaplus: La Luz
What do you know about light? Learn about it through this interactive site. At the end you can take a test to test your knowledge. A scientific calculator is also provided.
Other
All About vision.com: Eye Conditions and Diseases
Many articles with consumer information about lenses, eyewear, eye problems, and unique eye conditions. Vast content and many links to off-site information.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Mit: Open Course Ware: Structure of Earth Materials
A college course featuring mineral image galleries, labs, and instructor's notes on the topics of crystalline structure, crystal chemistry, and bonding in rock-forming minerals.
Science Struck
Science Struck: How Does Light Travel Through Space and Other Media?
A detailed discussion of the nature of light, how it can travel through a vacuum, and how the speed of light is affected when light travels through a medium.
Other
Gem Hut: Zircon
This commercial page gives information about the physical properties of zircon, its appearance, and where it can be found. Includes pictures and tables.