University of Colorado
University of Colorado: Ph Et Interactive Simulations: Bending Light
Explore bending of light between two media with different indices of refraction. See how changing from air to water to glass changes the bending angle. Play with prisms of different shapes and make rainbows.
Scholastic
Scholastic: Study Jams! Science: Light Absorption, Reflection, & Refraction
A video and a short quiz on the properties of light.
Physics Classroom
The Physics Classroom: Light Absorption, Reflection and Transmission
This tutorial explains light absorption, reflection and transmission in a clear and concise manner. Provides a "Check Your Understanding" section as well as additional links on color and light.
Physics Classroom
The Physics Classroom: Reflection and the Ray Model of Light
A four-lesson tutorial on the reflection and the ray model of light. These complete tutorials include informational text, interactive activities, animations, and quick, interactive comprehension questions.
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: How Does a Light Sensor Work?
A mini-activity, which uses LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT intelligent bricks and light sensors gives students a chance to investigate how light sensors function in preparation for the associated activity involving the light sensors and taskbots.
Other
Propagation of Light Using Geometry
A discussion of Christian Huygens' contribution to wave optics, and particularly to our understanding of the reflection and refraction of light. Excellent diagrams and a geometric proof on why the law of reflection is mathematically...
Georgia State University
Georgia State University: Hyper Physics: Total Internal Reflection
This physics department site provides a definition and explanation of the phenomenon of total internal reflection. Includes a diagram and an equation for calculating the critical angle for light approaching a surface.
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...
Florida State University
Florida State University: Molecular Expressions Microscopy Primer: Light and Color Refraction of Light
Comprehensive and sophisticated overview of light refraction includes an historical overview of the subject and explanations of the mathematics that underpin refractive indexes, the relative index of refraction, Snell's law, and light...
American Museum of Natural History
American Museum of Natural History: Ology: See the Light
Reflection, refraction, and the colors that make up white light is explored through lab activities after reading a brief background about light energy.
Optical Society
Optical Society of America: Exploring Science of Light: Intermediate Activities
A collection of intermediate experiments, for students aged ten and up, for exploring the magnification, reflection, and refraction of light.
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Learning Light's Properties
Students learn the basic properties of light--the concepts of light absorption, transmission, reflection and refraction, as well as the behavior of light during interference. Lecture information briefly addresses the electromagnetic...
ClassFlow
Class Flow: What Is Light?
[Free Registration/Login Required] This flipchart reviews the characteristics of light and its properties. Students are given examples of reflection, refraction, and lens types. An assessment component is included.
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.
Optical Society
Optical Society of America: Exploring the Science of Light: Easy Activities
A collection of simple experiments for exploring the basic properties of light and color.
American Museum of Natural History
American Museum of Natural History: See the Light
Take a look at light with these three easy experiments
Physics Classroom
The Physics Classroom: Reflection/ray Model of Light: Reflection/image Convex
In this physics tutorial, we will follow a pattern of inquiry for convex mirrors: investigating how convex mirrors reflect light and produce images.
Physics Classroom
The Physics Classroom: Reflection and Ray Model of Light: The Law of Reflection
Through an illustrated tutorial and some interactive practice problems, students learn about the law of reflection of light.
Open Curriculum
Open Curriculum: Light and Matter: Images by Reflection
An illustrated article helps students understand the concept of reflection of images and the differences in reflection with different optical devices.
Other
Gcse.com: Physics: Reflection
Informational site provides illustrated tutorial of light reflection. Also discusses the law of reflection.
University of Southern California
Usc Viterbi School of Engineering Illumin: Reflecting on the Mirrors
Article explaining what Digital Light Processing (DLP) technology is and how it works. Includes an animation to demonstrate the technology. (Published Fall 2007)
University of Colorado
University of Colorado: Ph Et Interactive Simulations: Bending Light
Manipulate variables and measure angles as light is refracted in this interactive simulation.
Other
Usps: Polar Lights
You and your students are going on an expedition to learn about the polar regions. Explore the glaciers, subglacial rivers, and volcanoes. Get up close and personal with furry, flippered, and feathered friends. Learn how other people...
Physics Classroom
The Physics Classroom: Light Waves/color: Absorption, Reflection, Transmission
In this physics classroom, students learn how and why light of certain frequencies can be selectively absorbed, reflected or transmitted.