+
Activity
Exploratorium

Laser Jello

For Teachers 7th - 10th
The concepts of refraction and reflection gel with your physical science class during this colorful exploration. Shining lasers through Petri-dish-shaped gelatin desserts, they will notice how the light travels and bounces off the sides....
+
Lesson Plan
Exploratorium

Blue Sky

For Teachers 5th - 9th
Use a container full of water as a prism and show that as light is bent, the individual colors from different wavelengths become visible. This explains why the sky appears to be blue midday, and why as the sun nears the horizon, it looks...
+
Lesson Plan
Physics Classroom

A Critical Lab

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Physics lab groups finagle with laser lights to determine the critical angle of refraction for both water and Lucite. Because there are no detailed steps or an answer key for this enlightening exercise, an inexperienced physics...
+
Worksheet
Curated OER

Typical Numeric Questions for Physics I - Light and Optics

For Students 9th - Higher Ed
Nineteen word problems dealing with frequency, speed, reflection, and refraction of light are provided here. Empower your physics masters to manipulate equations for computing angles, focal lengths, image heights, and more! This is a...
+
Worksheet
Curated OER

Typical Conceptual Questions for Physics I - Light and Quantum

For Students 9th - 12th
This is a stellar overview of everything light and quantum! There are 30 multiple choice questions, none of them requiring any mathematical computation. There are a few diagrams to analyze: light rays striking reflective and refractive...
+
Assessment
Curated OER

Take-Home Midterm Exam #3

For Students 10th - Higher Ed
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....
+
Activity
Exploratorium

Water Sphere Lens

For Teachers 4th - 7th
With a Florence flask or fishbowl, make a double convex lens and use it to examine an image. Because of the refraction, the image will be inverted. A simple explanation is provided here for you to share with your class as they...
+
PPT
Curated OER

Waves

For Teachers 8th - 12th
An incredibly colorful PowerPoint presents all the facts and definitions about waves that you could need for beginning physical scientists. There are several useful links to online animations of wave action. This may have been produced...
+
PPT
Curated OER

Light

For Teachers 8th - 12th
All aspects of the path of light are included in a great summary. Internal reflection and the angles of paths in different materials are explained and the behavior of visible light through lenses and the effect on focal points are...
+
Worksheet
Curated OER

Typical Numeric Questions for Physics I - Waves

For Students 9th - 12th
Physics masters figure out the wavelength of different waves. Looking at a wave graph, they identify different characteristics. Many more problems get them working with both electromagnetic and sound waves. There are a total of 17...
+
Assessment
Curated OER

Physics 152 ~ Fall 2003 Midterm Exam #3, Parts A, B

For Students 9th - Higher Ed
Illuminated physics stars show what they know about light by taking this exam. They match several related vocabulary terms to descriptions and answer multiple choice questions about the characteristics of light, magnification, and...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Light

For Teachers 5th
Light is such a fascinating subject. This lesson does a great job of illuminating the mysteries of light for your young scientists. A series of demonstrations which are explained in the plan should help your charges to understand how...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Light and Elements

For Teachers 9th - Higher Ed
Here is a full-fledged investigation of light waves, the electromagnetic spectrum, and element spectra. Physicists research a scientist that contributed to our understanding of the behavior of light. They take notes on your lecture, and...
+
Worksheet
Curated OER

Fall 2003 Midterm Exam #3

For Students 9th - Higher Ed
Let there be light! When your physics learners take this midterm exam, light will be their focus. They will show what they know about electromagnetic waves, interference, refraction, reflection, lenses, prisms, and more! The test is...
+
Assessment
Curated OER

Physics Midterm Exam #3 - Electromagnetic Radiation

For Students 11th - 12th
True-false and multiple-choice questions are posed in Part A of this exam, covering the topic of electromagnetic radiation. In Part B, problems relating to refraction must be solved. This is a well-rounded exam that will help you...
+
PPT
Curated OER

Behavior of Waves

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Lots of definitions are given here, and your students will find the details and links useful, along with the diagrams and examples.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

WET Science Lesson #11: How Light Affects Water

For Teachers 4th - 7th
Scientists listen to the story of Wadja Egnankou who works to save African mangrove forests. They experiment with refraction and the introduction of particulate matter to water. They conclude with creative writing about the need for a...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Investigating Light

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students study concepts associated with light. In this light lesson, students observe an demonstration by the teacher. They examine reflection and refraction of light and name things that reflect light and those that refract it. They...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Learning Light's Properties

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students examine the properties of light and the behavior of light during interference.  In this electromagnetics lesson students explain behaviors of light.
+
Worksheet
Curated OER

Light and Optics

For Students 11th
In this light and optics worksheet, 11th graders fill in 7 blanks about the nature of light, draw 9 diagrams to illustrate reflection, refraction, lenses and color.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Luz: Poetry and the Physics of Light

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Learners explore color, light, refraction and reflection.  In this light lesson students measure solar position and compare it to time.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Super Gelatin

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students measure angles of refraction as the light travels through gelatin.  In this experimental lesson students complete a refraction lab and plot their data.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Electromagnetic and Physical Waves

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students compare and contrast electromagnetic and physical waves. In this wave lesson plan, students discover that all waves reflect, refract, and diffract energy. Students work in small groups to experiment with waves and evaluate the...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Applied Science - Physics (5B) Post Lab

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders analyze optical images. in this optical lesson, 5th graders look at how light reflects and refracts. They discuss different types of lenses and how they change the picture that is taken.