Exploratorium
Polarized Sunglasses
Reflected waves of light move within a plane, and because of this, polarizing materials can reduce the glare our eyes see. This resource explains how to set up a demonstration of this effect. Consider it for use in your physical science...
Curated OER
Physics 152 Fall 2004 Final Exam, Parts A, B, C, D
At the end of a general physics course focused on light and electricity, you can administer this exam. Concepts covered include electromagnetism, circuits, induction, light rays, lenses and mirrors, characteristics of light, electron...
Exploratorium
Bone Stress
Lighten up a bit with this activity! Use an old-fashioned overhead projector to shine light through a pair of polarizing filters. Place a stressed plastic object in between and display the colors of light waves revealed! Rotate the...
Curated OER
Polarized Light
Students examine polarized light and that it can be done through reflection. In this reflection instructional activity students develop a model that accounts for differences in light behavior.
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.
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: Study Chirality With a Homemade Polarimeter
Some molecules can be either left- or right-"handed." The left- and right-handed molecules have the same number and type of atoms, and their chemical structures look identical, but they are actually mirror images of each other. Many...
University of Colorado
University of Colorado: Physics 2000: Einstein's Legacy: Laptop Screens
A series of seven pages that describe how screen displays on laptop computers work using polarized light in a liquid crystal display. Interactive Java applets.
University of Colorado
University of Colorado: Physics 2000: Polarization
A series of pages that explain polarization, polarized light and its effects, polarized filters, and sunglasses. Interactive Java applets.
University of Colorado
University of Colorado: Physics 2000: Polarization
An incredible series of illustrated pages that explain polarization, polarized light and its effects, and polarized filters and sunglasses. Features interactive Java applets.
Other
Polarization.net: Polarized Light in Nature and Technology
Incredible sight focusing on all varieties and instances of polarization as found in nature and in human-made technologies.
Other
Polarized Light in Nature and Technology
Incredible sight focusing on all varieties and instances of polarization as found in nature and in our surroundings.
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Polarization
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Students understand the meaning of polarization and its mechanism and polarization by transmission and reflection.
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: Polarization
"How Do We Know Light Behaves as a Wave?" An answer is provided in this discussion of the polarization of light and the use of Polaroid filters in sunglasses. The four methods discussed on this page are: polarization by transmission,...
Exploratorium
Exploratorium: Science Snacks: Rotating Light
An experiment where polarized light is shone into a solution of sugared water, causing each of the colors in white light to change direction in varying amounts.
Exploratorium
Exploratorium: Science Snacks: Bone Stress
This activity uses polarized lights to show stress patterns in a clear plastic fork. Students can relate the stresses in plastic to stresses in the bone.
Physics Classroom
The Physics Classroom: Light Waves and Color: Polarization
Through illustrated practice problems and video clips, students learn about polarization of light.
MadSci Network
The Mad Scientist Network: Microwave Physics
Using a question and answer format, this page attempts to answer the question "How much light do sunglasses block?" Explains polarized light and the ability of filters to selectively absorb polarized light.
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...
Optical Society
Optical Society of America: Optics for Kids: Polarized Light (Pdf)
An investigation into how polarized light behaves, with instructions on how to make a polarizer using glass slides. With a link to an article explaining about polarized light. PDF (requires Adobe Reader).