An experiment using a water lens that demonstrates how the eye sees an image. Accompanied by an explanation of what's happening, and a link to an article on refraction.

Impressionists used new methods of mixing colors based on contemporary scientific writings about optics. This lesson plan explores the theory of optical color mixing, painting the same subject under different conditions of light, and the...

This physics department site provides a definition and explanation of the phenomenon of total internal reflection. Includes a diagram and an equation for calculating the critical angle for light approaching a surface.

This ScienceWorld site describes the Scottish mathematician and physicist James Maxwell (1831-1879) who published physical and mathematical theories of the electromagnetic field.

Discusses Rayleigh scattering in plain language and attributes the blueness of the skies to this phenomenon. Discussion of scattering is just one topic of many on this lengthy page of optical topics.

Several short descriptions and graphics of demonstrations which illustrate principles of interference. Suitable as a supplement for a teacher lesson plan or as an idea-generator for a student project.

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

An investigation, using a ripple tank, into how waves behave when they collide with each other. With an explanation of what is observed, and a link to an article on refraction.

An investigation into the total internal reflection of light, using a laser pointer. Accompanied by an explanation of what's happening, a discussion of Snell's Law, and links to additional information.

An experiment using Jell-O to create lenses, to see how light behaves with flat, concave, and convex lens surfaces. With an explanation of what is observed, and a link to an informative article on lenses.

An experiment to create colors using bubbles and then with glass slides. With links to scientific, academic articles that explain what causes the colors to appear.

A tutorial page explaining how the speed of light is dependent upon the optical density of the material through which it moves. Optical density is related to the index of refraction; sample values are given.

An experiment to demonstrate how to make a rainbow and why they form.

All waves will reflect and refract in the right circumstances. The reflection and refraction of light explain how people see images, color and even optical illusions. This tutorial discusses each concept and presents an experiment to try...

A page at the Isaac Newton (1642-1727 CE) Institute for the Mathematical Sciences website. This page, the contents of which come from the Microsoft Encarta encyclopedia, describes the upbringing, the education, the scientific and...

Many articles with consumer information about lenses, eyewear, eye problems, and unique eye conditions. Vast content and many links to off-site information.

This physics department site explains how prisms work and their purpose in the dispersion of light. Explains the angle of deviation and includes an interactive form in which visitors calculate the angle of deviation and receive immediate...

Several pages with an interesting discussion of the visible light spectrum and atomic absorption and emission line spectrum. Features excellent graphics, thorough and understandable discussion, and many interactive Java applets.

Discusses the manner in which light behaves as both wave and particle. This dualistic nature of light is one topic of many on the page.

A simple activity to investigate how light reflects off a flat surface, a convex one, and a concave one. With a link to an article on reflection.

An experiment to investigate how many images appear as the angle between two hinged mirrors is increased. Accompanied by an explanation of what is happening, questions for students to consider, and a link to an article about reflection.

The blind spot in human vision is described and illustrated.

An experiment with a coffee filter and a marker to see what happens when water touches a black dot, or any other color. With links to several scientific, academic articles that explain what is happening.

An experiment where light is shone through a bottle of water, and then milk added, to see how this affects the path the light takes (with links to articles on reflection and refraction that explain what is happening).