Polarized light Teacher Resources

Students examine polarized light and that it can be done through reflection.  In this reflection lesson students develop a model that accounts for differences in light behavior. 

Like tiny Supermen of the sea, mantis shrimp catch their prey using both bullet-like speed and enhanced vision. How do they do it? Young marine biologists discover the amazing adaptations found in the mantis shrimp and how they use them...

Students study polarized light and explain how they know it is polarized.  In this polarized light lesson plan students complete a lab that shows them how light can be polarized. 

Why can some organisms detect polarized light, but others can't? Scholars observe as the narrator constructs, demonstrates, and explains a simple polarimeter during a video from a larger playlist covering physics. Concepts include how...

1-bromo-1-fluoroethane is the first example given of stereoisomers that have different chemical properties and polarize light in different ways. An informative video focuses on how to differentiate between the enantiomers using the Cahn...

Reflected waves of light move within a plane, and because of this, polarizing materials can reduce the glare our eyes see. This resource explains how to set up a demonstration of this effect. Consider it for use in your physical science...

Here is a backyard explanation of the polarization of light. Using his porch railing, the video narrator demonstrates that if the grating is lined up with the direction of light waves, represented by a hula hoop, the waves are allowed to...

At the end of a general physics course focused on light and electricity, you can administer this exam. Concepts covered include electromagnetism, circuits, induction, light rays, lenses and mirrors, characteristics of light, electron...

In this polarized light activity, students compare what happens when non-polarized light vibrates through polarizers. Students compare the amount of light that gets through different filters. This activity has 4 problems to solve.

Lighten up a bit with this activity! Use an old-fashioned overhead projector to shine light through a pair of polarizing filters. Place a stressed plastic object in between and display the colors of light waves revealed! Rotate the...

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. Students investigate...

Students experiment on how polarized filters transmit light. In this physics lesson, students explain how RADARSAT-2 uses polarized light to study surface features. They discuss the difference between RADARSAT-1 and 2.

Students investigate how polorizers filter light. In this physics lesson, students record their data and plot their results using a computer logging software. They discuss practical applications of polarization.

Students study chloroplasts, their structure and evolution.  In this photosynthesis lesson students experiment with polarized light and the production of chlorophyll.

An impressive animation explains the earth's awe-inspiring auroras. The contributions of high-energy particles from the sun collide with our neutral atmospheric atoms. Explained are the roles of solar wind, plasma, the magnetosphere,...

Pupils explain polarization vision and why some animals have it while others do not. They examine the reasons why it would be helpful for marine organisms to have polarized light.

The University of Hawaii has published a vast collection of midterm and final exams for their Physics 152 course. This particular exam offers a variety of assessment methods, and covers the topic of electromagnetic radiation....

The Big Bang just got bigger! Learners explore the early universe in a short, animated video. The narrator guides viewers through the revelation that photons polarized by masses of plasma travel through space to bring us a...

You matter, unless you multiply yourself by the speed of light ... then you energy. Presentation covers the behavior of light as both a wave and a particle, light versus sound, space travel, why objects have colors, depth perception,...

A kaleidoscope is constructed using polarizing polymer paper and then low-density polyethylene, high-density polyethylene, and polypropylene are all melted onto individual glass slides and examined through a microscope. The intent is to...

Reading essays about deep-sea expeditions open this lesson on crustacean vision. Marine biology explorers study the compound eye and then complete a worksheet in response to all they have discovered. Although the lesson doesn't offer an...

Students investigate stereoisomers using models that can be rotated and manipulated. In this stereoisomers lesson plan, students try to make models of molecules look alike by rotating the bonds. Using a mirror, the teacher demonstrates...

In this light topics science learning exercise, students read selections about fiber optics, fluorescent light, incandescent light, total internal reflection, polarization, glow-in-the-dark light, and lasers. Students then respond to 32...

High schoolers compare and contrast different types of light on the electromagnetic spectrum.  In this investigative lesson students create a photographic image that demonstrates the infrared, ultraviolet and polarization phenomena.