Exploratorium
Soap Film Painting
If you are up for constructing a wooden frame, you can do this demonstration of the interference patterns when light reflects off of layers of soapy film. Both constructive and destructive interference can be seen as evidenced by the...
Curated OER
Color at Light Speed
Rainbow science anyone? learners put the color specturm, frequency, light waves, and wavelengths into a light speed context. They use algebraic formulas to determine the speed of each light wave length. A great way to connect math and...
Curated OER
Energy
Wow! Colorful and simple, these 160 slides introduce the various forms of energy, along with a relevant image. Some of the images are animations, which help beginning physical scientists to visualize the flow of electrons or energy! This...
Curated OER
Physics 152 ~ Fall 2003 Midterm Exam #3, Parts A, B
Illuminated physics stars show what they know about light by taking this exam. They match several related vocabulary terms to descriptions and answer multiple choice questions about the characteristics of light, magnification, and...
Curated OER
Light and Elements
Here is a full-fledged investigation of light waves, the electromagnetic spectrum, and element spectra. Physicists research a scientist that contributed to our understanding of the behavior of light. They take notes on your lecture, and...
Georgia State University
Georgia State University: Hyper Physics: Methods of Polarization
At this college physics department site, the polarization of light is explained and illustrated as well as the primary methods of polarization (scattering, reflection, and refraction).
Georgia State University
Georgia State University: Hyper Physics: Crossed Polarizers
At this univeristy physics department site, the polarization of light is explained and illustrated. Methods for analyzing light to determine the degree of polarization are stated and explained with equations.
Georgia State University
Georgia State University: Hyper Physics: Polarization by Absorption
The operation of Polaroid filters on a pair of sunglasses is shown.
Georgia State University
Georgia State University: Hyper Physics: Scattering Concepts
A collection of several pages explaining the principles which underlie Rayleigh scattering of light.
University of Colorado
University of Colorado: Physics 2000: More About Visualizing Electromagnetic Waves
Discusses the nature of an electromagnetic wave. Explains the oscillating electric field and represents it through clever graphics and animations.
University of Colorado
University of Colorado: Physics 2000: Cat Scans: Projecting Shadows
This page and the three pages which follow discuss how X-ray technology can be used to produce an image of the human body. Discussion is understandable and highly intriguing. Several interactive animations allow the visitor to explore...
University of Colorado
University of Colorado: Physics 2000: Quantum Atom
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.
Exploratorium
Exploratorium: Science Snacks: Physics/light
Here is a large collection of simple science class activities for understanding the physics of light.
Physics Classroom
The Physics Classroom: Light Waves and Color
The behavior of light waves is introduced and discussed. Also, polarization, color, diffraction, and interference are introduced and discussed thoroughly as supporting evidence of the wave nature of light.
Vision Learning
Visionlearning: Physics: Light I: Particle or Wave
Instructional module focusing on light. Discussion includes historical development of particle versus wave theories and the scientific studies leading to the understanding of light waves today. Site also includes an interactive practice...
University of Colorado
University of Colorado: Physics 2000: Electromagnetic Waves
Using a student-teacher dialogue format, this page discusses the nature of light as an electromagnetic wave and the electromagnetic spectrum.
Better Lesson
Better Lesson: Properties of Waves
In this direct instruction lesson plan, students draw sketches in their science notebooks in order to make sense of wave properties. Resources include a slideshow presentation on the properties of waves and multiple examples of student...
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...
Utah State Office of Education
Utah Science: Properties and Behaviors of Heat, Light and Sound
How can scientists lump heat, light and sound together when investigating properties and behaviors? This learning module will address that question through a series of activities.
Physics Central
Physics Central: Physics in the Living Room: Remote Control Tricks
An easy experiment through which students learn about light rays and the electromagnetic spectrum. Requires a TV, its remote, and a hand-held, flat mirror.
University of Colorado
University of Colorado: Physics 2000: Einstein's Legacy: Microwave Ovens
A series of pages that explain how microwave radiation is utilized by ovens to cook food. Includes several Java applets.
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Wavelength
Understand the method used to measure wavelength and how light waves are associated with colors based on wavelength.
Museum of Science
The Atom's Family: Radiometer
Help Dracula find out about light waves by using a virtual radiometer.
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.