Colorado State University
Little Shop of Physics: The Amazing Physics of Everyday Objects
Try out these experiments you can do with items you might already have around the house: "Two Ball Bounce," "Cartesian Diver," "Straw Flute," "Bernoulli Ball," and others. Two experiments, "Imploding Pop Can" and "Balloon in a Bottle,"...
Incorporated Research Institutions for Seismology
Iris: Determining Shallow Earth Structure
Extend students' learning of fundamental physics concepts (reflection, refraction and transmission of energy) through a real-world application.
BBC
Bbc: Bitesize: Gcse: Physics: Reflection and Refraction
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...
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Physics Simulation: Least Time
[Free Registration/Login Required] Explore how Snell's Law arises out of the principle of least time; understand how light rays change direction at interfaces between materials using this interactive simulation. A PDF worksheet and a...
Pennsylvania State University
Kettering University: Vibration & Waves
A short tutorial providing general information about waves, their categories, properties and behaviors. Includes several animations and some practice questions with answers.
BBC
Bbc: Gcse Bitesize: Why Do Scientists Think That Light and Sound Are Waves?
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...
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Fourth Grade Science
This customizable digital textbook covers topics related to fourth-grade science. It is Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) aligned.
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Refraction and Light Bending
This article from Khan Academy provides information about refraction and light bending. This information is intended for the Class 12 Physics Course (India).
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Physics: Geometric Optics Study Guide
Learn and understand geometric optics with this review resource.
University of Texas at Austin
The University of Texas Mc Donald Observatory: Super Gelatin
Students measure the angles of refraction of laser light traveling through gelatin, then plot their data to calculate the gelatin's index of refraction.
Boston University
Bu: Optics Demonstrations: Polarization
Several short descriptions of demonstrations pertaining to polarization principles. Suitable as a supplement for a teacher lesson plan or as an idea-generator for a student project.
Boston University
Bu: Optics: Geometric Optics
Several short descriptions of demonstrations which illustrate principles of geometric optics (many of which focus upon refraction).
Georgia State University
Georgia State University: Hyper Physics: Reflection and Refraction
Reflection and refraction are explained with an experiment that uses a sheet of paper, cardboard, and other common materials.
Cosmo Learning
Cosmo Learning: Physics Iii: Vibrations and Waves
A collection of video lectures from a physics course focusing on vibration and waves taught at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The course overviews topics dealing with mechanical vibration and waves with twenty-three lectures....
York University
The Joy of Visual Perception: Physics of Visual Stimulus
From an online "book," this particular page describes physics principles related to vision and sight. Keywords are linked to other pages with further information. The role of sunglasses in blocking glare is discussed and explained. A...
Wolfram Research
Wolfram Science World: Fresnel, Augustin
This site from ScienceWorld provides a short biographical sketch of Augustin Fresnel (1788-1827 CE) and describes his most notable scientific discoveries and contributions. Links are provided throughout for additional information.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Mn Step: Why Is the Sky Blue?
Students will learn about refraction and the scattering of sunlight as it enters the atmosphere, which causes the colors in light to separate, giving us blue skies and colorful sunrises and sunsets.
Michigan Reach Out
Making a Water Lens
This site provides a basic experiment that shows how a lens works. This lesson plan explains nearsightedness and farsightedness. It also explains concave and convex lenses.
Exploratorium
Exploratorium: Water Sphere Lens
A discussion of how to make a magnifying lens exhibit using a water-filled flask and a light bulb. Consists of assembly instructions and a "To do and notice" section. Great for a teacher demonstration or a student project.
Other
United States Master Swimming: Fiber Aquatics
The principle of total internal reflection is discussed in this article. The appearance of objects from inside the water of a swimming pool is compared to the path of light in a fiber optic cable.
Other
Lighthouses: Lighting the Lights
A description of the early lights used in lighthouses and how these lights evolved into what they are today. Explains the contributions of Fresnel to the development of these lights; discusses the Fresnel orders.
Other
Walter Fendt: Refraccion De La Luz
Learn about refraction of light with this simulation. This site is best viewed with Internet Explorer.
Center of Science and Industry
Cosi Columbus: Bent Toward Science Refraction
Learn about refraction in this hands-on science experiment. Includes full list of materials, procedures, and scientific explanation of what happens when light moves from one material to another.
Ducksters
Ducksters: Physics for Kids: Light
Kids learn about the science of light. Energy made of waves and particles called photons traveling at the top speed in the universe. What is refraction? The difference between transparent, translucent, and opaque.