Students explore scientific observations by examining the parts of a microscope. In this optics lesson, students discuss the importance of a focal point and focal distance when utilizing an optical device such as a microscope. Students...

Students are introduced to the wave nature of light. In groups, they discuss Young's experiment and how diffraction and interference demonstrate the wave nature of light. Using examples, they show constructive and destructive...

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.

Ray diagrams are useful tools for determining the location of an image as produced by a concave mirror. Of all the rays which emanate from the top of the object arrow and are incident to the mirror, there are two rays whose behavior at...

Ray diagrams are useful tools for determining the location of an image as produced by a concave mirror. Of all the rays which emanate from the top of the object arrow and are incident to the mirror, there are two rays whose behavior at...

A series of incident rays and their corresponding reflected rays are depicted in the diagrams in this tutorial. Each ray strikes a surface with a different orientation; yet each ray reflects in accordance with the law of reflection.

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.

An illustrated tutorial which takes students step-by-step through the process of drawing ray diagrams.

The meaning and cause of refraction--as well as Snell's law of refraction--are discussed. Includes an interactive problem-solving form in which visitors relate angles of refraction to the incident angle and the indices of refraction.

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.

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.

Through an illustrated tutorial and some interactive practice problems, students learn about the law of reflection of light.

In this illustrated physics tutorial, students investigate the connection between light reflection and light refraction.

[Free Registration/Login Required] Move the light source to see what happens to the reflected ray as you change the angle of the incident ray.

Students learn two rules of reflection as it has to do with convex mirrors. These two rules will greatly simplify the task of determining the image locations for objects placed in front of convex mirrors.

Students learn two rules of reflection as it has to do with concave mirrors. These two rules will greatly simplify the task of determining the image locations for objects placed in front of concave mirrors.

Focusing on the question, "By how much does light refract when it crosses a boundary?" this physics tutorial will allow students the opportunity to explore these concepts of refraction.

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.

Through illustrated examples and interactive practice problems, students explore the details of Snell's Law.

[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] In this module, discover and solve problems involving the index of refraction, and investigate problems involving Snell's Law.

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...

Defines the refraction of light and provides an applet for investigating it.

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,...

A fairly short biographical sketch of Willebrord Snell (1591-1626 CE). Discusses his upbringing, education and professional life.