Alabama Learning Exchange
Light Is
Learners explore the properties of light. In this light lesson, students investigate visible light by viewing a website, examining an electromagnetic spectrum chart, and observing light demonstrations. Learners write about their...
Curated OER
Pictures Please: Traveling Light
Young scholars investigate how light travels. For this optic science lesson plan, students discover that light travels in a straight line through a laser pointer demonstration. Young scholars also study how pinhole cameras work by...
Curated OER
Let's Do the Wave!
Students distinguish waves from matter, differentiate between transverse and longitudinal waves, use sine curves as representations of transverse waves, label characteristic properties of waves, diagram transverse waves having specific...
Curated OER
Online Exploration: Telescopes From the Ground Up
Learners explore a web-based illustrated text and interactive graphics to determine the relationship between the operation of telescopes and light. optics. They work in small groups to become an expert on one of the ten eras of telescope...
Curated OER
Light and Optics
Third graders utilize the scientific method to explain light and optics in this five lessons unit. Through experimentation and discussion, 3rd graders canvass the concepts of light traveling, reflection and refraction.
Curated OER
All Those Seeing Color, Say Eye!
Learners research and discuss the roles of the eye and brain in the perception of color. They watch a slideshow and complete a worksheet.
Curated OER
Intelligence Preference
Eighth graders describe how light behaves when it strikes a surface. In this physics lesson plan, 8th graders investigate how the different types of mirrors reflect light. They work with their chosen group on a task they selected.
Curated OER
Hubble Space Telescope Webquest
Learners research the Hubble Space Telescope. In this Hubble Space Telescope lesson, students complete a webquest about the Hubble Space Telescope.
Curated OER
Lenses
Students explore vision by experimenting with lenses in equipment. For this optics lesson, students define the different technology that enhances vision such as microscopes, telescopes and cameras. Students experiment with these devices...
Curated OER
Focusing on Lenses
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...
Curated OER
Optical Illusions
Students view, identify, and construct four optical illusions. In this optical illusions lesson, students are introduced to four types of optical illusions. They construct their own illusions.
Curated OER
The Most Important Equation in Astronomy!
For this astronomy optics worksheet, students calculate the angular resolution and maximum resolution for given telescope specifics. This worksheet has 3 problems to solve.
Curated OER
Create Your Own Kaleidoscopes
Seventh graders create a kaleidoscopes after researching Sir David Brewster and his ideas on light. They recognize the properties of optics from making and using the kaleidoscopes.
Alabama Learning Exchange
How Are Rainbows Created?
Students describe how the sun's rays produce colors. They describe how water causes the sun's rays of light to bend, producing a rainbow.
Curated OER
Optical Images
Ninth graders study optics and the law of reflection. In this optical images lesson students use a laser and conceptualize the law of reflection.
Curated OER
Physical Optics: The Wave Nature of Light
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...
Curated OER
Geometrical Optics: Reflection and Refraction of Light
Students define and discus the concepts of wave fronts and rays. In groups, they distinguish between specular and diffuse reflections and use Snell's Law to predict the path of light rays. They calculate the speed of light through...
Georgia State University
Georgia State University: Hyper Physics: Scattering Concepts
A collection of several pages explaining the principles which underlie Rayleigh scattering of light.
Georgia State University
Georgia State University: Hyper Physics: Prisms
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...
Georgia State University
Georgia State University: Hyper Physics: Diffraction
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.
Florida State University
Florida State University: Science, Optics & You: Timeline in Optics
A timeline from prehistory to modern days of advances in optics and related disciplines, and of the people responsible for them. The timeline is categorized into distinct spans of time, each accompanied by extensive information.
Internet History Sourcebooks Project
Fordham University: Modern History Sourcebook: Isaac Newton
This site from Fordham University links to excerpts of Newton's major works. Please scroll down to find the section on Newton titled "The Creation of Classical Physics." You will be able to actually read some of Newton's work! Read...
US Department of Labor
Bureau of Labor Statistics: Opticians, Dispensing
An extensive introduction to the career of optician, with information on the nature of the work, working conditions, employment qualifications, job outlook, and earnings.
University of Houston
University of Houston: Engines of Our Ingenuity: Robert Hooke
The transcript of a talk given on the syndicated radio broadcast titled "The Engines of Our Ingenuity." Interesting account of Robert Hooke. Using a captivating and engaging story line, the article tells of Hooke's many interests in...