Students observe and explore the characteristics of light.

In this astronomy optics activity, students calculate the angular resolution and maximum resolution for given telescope specifics. This activity has 3 problems to solve.

Eleventh graders investigate the nature of light. In this physics lesson, 11th graders determine how light intensity varies with the distance of the light source.

Learners calculate the Balmer series. For this physics lesson, students observe hydrogen lamp spectra using spectrometers. They calculate wavelength and compare them with their theoretical calculations.

Sixth graders continue their examination of light. In groups, they make rainbows and examine the spectrum of visible light. They travel between various stations recording their observations about the behaviors of light. To end the...

Young scholars observe an activity with Jell-O to learn about optics.  In this investigative lesson plan students fill out a handout on the activity that helps them to investigate the index of refraction and the speed of light. 

A very good introduction to the world of waves. Waves and wavelike motion, what is a wave, and categories of waves are the topics examined in this site. Many links to other wave sites.

[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Students investigate diffraction of light and the interference patterns that are produced through constructive and destructive interference of the waves. Students...

[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Students investigate diffraction of light and the interference patterns that are produced through constructive and destructive interference of the waves. Students...

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.

This physics department site provides links about the diffraction of light. Each page includes thorough explanations and meaningful graphics. Some pages include interactive problem-solving practice sections.

[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Students investigate behaviors of waves, including interference, reflection, refraction, and diffraction.

Light travels as waves. Waves can be described by their amplitude, wavelength and frequency. The speed of a wave can be calculated from its frequency and wavelength.

In this interactive lesson about electromagnetic waves students will explore what they can see, what they can't, and what they know about the wave nature of this thing called "light."

Instructional module focusing on light. Discussion includes historical development of particle versus wave theories and the scientific studies leading to the understanding of light waves today. Site also includes an interactive practice...

In this illustrated physics tutorial, students learn about sound wave behaviors and apply them to the reflection, diffraction, and refraction of sound waves.

An in-depth encyclopedia article from Wikipedia on waves gives a definition for what a wave is. Other content in the article includes a list of examples and characteristics of waves, information about the difference between transverse...

Conduct virtual experiments with water, sound, and light waves to determine the sine wave and patterns created in each.

A study guide for concepts related to wave optics.

Article goes into detail about what exactly is interference.

Simulation that shows the diffraction of light through single or multiple slits. Simulation allows modification of the number of slits, slit width, slit separation, and the wavelength.

This site's entry is a discussion of diffraction and its application to acoustics and acoustical design. Exceptional illustrations and great discussion throughout.

This lab is designed to allow students to look at the factors affecting the angle at which constructive interference occurs for waves passing through a two slit diffraction grating. This video helps explain the problem:...

Light travels as transverse waves and can travel through a vacuum. Sound travels as longitudinal waves and needs to travel through a solid, liquid or gas. Read about the properties of light and of sound, and learn the differences between...