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Activity
York University

The Joy of Visual Perception: Physics of Visual Stimulus

For Students 9th - 10th
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...
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Article
Other

Lighthouses: Lighting the Lights

For Students 9th - 10th
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.
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Handout
Synopsys

Synopsys: A Gentle Intro to Optical Design: Why Is the Sky Blue?

For Students 9th - 10th
Discusses Rayleigh scattering in plain language and attributes the blueness of the skies to this phenomenon. Discussion of scattering is just one topic of many on this lengthy page of optical topics.
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Unit Plan
Synopsys

Synopsys: Optics for Kids: What Is Light?

For Students 3rd - 5th
An explanation of what light is and some of its properties.
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Activity
Exploratorium

Exploratorium: Snacks

For Students 5th - 9th
Exploratorium's snacks aren't edible, but they are good! Use your science skills to discover gravity, learn about biology, do fun experiments.
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Website
Kidport

Kidport: Light

For Students 3rd - 6th
Did you know that light is a form of energy and always travels in a straight line? Discover some more interesting facts about light.
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Activity
Optical Society

Optical Society of America: Optics for Kids: Watch Tv Upside Down

For Students 1st - 5th
An experiment to invert a television image using a magnifying lens. Accompanied by an explanation of what's happening.
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Handout
University of St. Andrews (UK)

University of St. Andrews: Augustin Fresnel

For Students 9th - 10th
A short biographical sketch on the life and work of Augustin Fresnel (1788-1827). Comments on a few of his scientific accomplishments.
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Handout
Science4Fun

Science4 Fun: How Rainbows Work

For Students K - 1st
Learn how rainbows work by reading this illustrated explanation.
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Handout
Physics Classroom

The Physics Classroom: Polarization

For Students 9th - 10th
"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,...
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Website
Other

Meade Instruments Corporation: How Telescopes Work

For Students 9th - 10th
This page explains in fairly simple terms the basics of telescopes. It includes information on the various types of telescopes and the factors people use to select the correct telescope for them. Meade is a leading telescope manufacturer.
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Handout
Other

Transverse and Longitudinal Wave Propagation in an Elastic Medium

For Students 9th - 10th
Extensive information about how waves behave in an elastic medium. Covers different types of waves, their characteristics and behavior, the anatomy of the ear, the speed of sound in different media, the parts of a wave, and wave phenomena.
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Interactive
Walter Fendt

Walter Fendt: Apps Zur Physik

For Students 9th - 10th
This site, in German, offers numerous apps that illustrate common physics principles. Apps are organized into categories: mechanics, oscillations and waves, electrodynamics, optics, thermodynamics, the theory of relativity, physics of...
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Unit Plan
Other

The Disgustoscope

For Students 9th - 10th
This is a resource to teach optics, while building a modified kaleidoscope that will provide 3-dimensional images.
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Website
Other

Weather Photography

For Students 9th - 10th
Source of information on the subject of weather photography. There are great links, images and tips on equipment to use. For the intermediate to advanced photographer.
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Handout
Wolfram Research

Wolfram Science World: Young, Thomas

For Students 9th - 10th
This site from ScienceWorld provides a very short but factual biographical sketch of Thomas Young (1773-1829 CE) and describes his most notable scientific discoveries and contributions. Links are also provided throughout for additional...

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