Curated OER
Stellar Spectral Fingerprints
Students listen as the teacher introduces Newton's early discovery of the diffraction of light. They use multiple sources of light (fluorescent, incandescent, sunlight, etc) to bend the light. They first use a prism then a diffraction...
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.
University of New South Wales (Australia)
University of New South Wales: School of Physics: Physclips: Diffraction
Physiclips thoroughly presents the concept of diffraction with animations and film clips.
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Building a Fancy Spectrograph
Students create and decorate their own spectrographs using simple materials and holographic diffraction gratings. A holographic diffraction grating acts like a prism, showing the visual components of light. After building the...
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Engineering Your Own Spectrograph
Students use simple materials to design an open spectrograph so they can calculate the angle light is bent when it passes through a holographic diffraction grating. A holographic diffraction grating acts like a prism, showing the visual...
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Designing a Spectroscopy Mission
Students find and calculate the angle that light is transmitted through a holographic diffraction grating using trigonometry. After finding this angle, student teams design and build their own spectrographs, researching and designing a...
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Spectroscopy
Students learn how using a spectrograph helps us understand the composition of light sources. Using simple materials and holographic diffraction gratings (available online at a variety of sites, including Edmund Scientifics and the...
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Diffraction Calculations
[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...
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Diffraction
[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...
University of British Columbia
University of British Columbia: Single Slit Diffraction Pattern of Light
Explains single slit diffraction and models how to calculate different characteristics of the light waves.
Other
University of Tennessee Knoxville: Diffraction and Interference
Explains what diffraction and interference are, and what kinds of patterns are produced when light waves pass through a single slit, a double slit, or a diffraction grating. Includes three problems for students to try, with solutions...
American Association of Physics Teachers
Com Padre Digital Library: Open Source Physics: Multiple Slit Diffraction Model
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.
Exploratorium
Exploratorium: Science Snacks: Diffraction
Demonstrate light bending called diffraction in this activity.
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Graphing the Rainbow
Students are introduced to different ways of displaying visual spectra, including colored "barcode" spectra, like those produced by a diffraction grating, and line plots displaying intensity versus color, or wavelength. Students learn...
Open Curriculum
Open Curriculum: Wave Optics
Learn about the diffraction of light using the wave model and Huygen's principle.
Other
Siemens Science Day: Physical Science: Through the Looking Glass
Students will make their own spectroscope, learn how light is bent by a diffraction grating, and explore how various forms of light differ.
Other
S Cool Youth: Diffraction, Interference and Superposition
An interactive resource on diffraction, interference and superposition with descriptions, animations, and questions.
Physics Aviary
Physics Aviary: Diffraction Lab
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:...
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Physics Simulation: Marina
[Free Registration/Login Required] Learn about the interference and diffraction patterns that result when a wave passes through one or two thin openings using this interactive simulation. A PDF worksheet and a video tutorial are also...
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: Rainbow Candy
Make your own rainbow candy in this fun STEM activity. You will do it without using any food coloring. Instead, you will use a light-bending phenomenon called diffraction.
Optical Society
Optical Society of America: Optics for Kids: Diffraction Between Wax Blocks
An activity to demonstrate how light behaves when encountering an obstacle, in this case, wax blocks placed in a ripple tank. Includes an explanation of the diffraction that occurs.
Boston University
Bu: Optics Demonstrations: Diffraction
Short descriptions and graphics of three demonstrations which illustrate the diffraction phenomenon. Suitable as a supplement for a teacher lesson plan or as an idea-generator for a student project.