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Handout
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University of Tennessee Knoxville: Diffraction and Interference

For Students 9th - 10th
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...
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Activity
Physics Central

Physics Central: Physics in the Living Room: Remote Control Tricks

For Students 6th - 8th
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.
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Unit Plan
CK-12 Foundation

Ck 12: Physical Science: Light

For Students 7th - 9th
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Visible light and the different waves that make it up, infrared light and ultraviolet light.
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Handout
Synopsys

Synopsys: Optics: A Gentle Intro to Optical Design: Wave Particle Duality

For Students 9th - 10th
Discusses the manner in which light behaves as both wave and particle. This dualistic nature of light is one topic of many on the page.
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Handout
Simon Fraser University

Chem1 Virtual Textbook: Wave, Particle, or What?

For Students 9th - 10th
Acting as a subtopic of the General Chemistry Virtual Textbook's section on Atoms and the Periodic Table, this site discusses light, waves, and particles. Part of the discussion involves a definition and working information on the...
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Unit Plan
University of Colorado

University of Colorado: Physics 2000: Einstein's Legacy: Microwave Ovens

For Students 9th - 10th
A series of pages that explain how microwave radiation is utilized by ovens to cook food. Includes several Java applets.
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Interactive
CK-12 Foundation

Ck 12: Plix: Wave Interactions: Law of Reflection

For Students 9th - 10th
[Free Registration/Login Required] Move the light source to see what happens to the reflected ray as you change the angle of the incident ray.
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Handout
NASA

Nasa: Mission: Science: Electromagnetic Spectrum: Infrared Waves

For Students 9th - 10th
Infrared light lies between the visible and microwave portions of the electromagnetic spectrum. Infrared light has a range of wavelengths, just like visible light has wavelengths that range from red light to violet.
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Unit Plan
TED Talks

Ted: Ted Ed: What Is Color?

For Students 9th - 10th
Colm Kelleher describes the physics behind colors- why the colors we see are related to the period of motion and the frequency of waves. [3:09]
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Website
Synopsys

Synopsys: Learn About Optics

For Students 9th - 10th
Highly informational optic site for kids provides everything one might want to know about light. Various topics include light basics, controlling light, lenses, complex lenses, what's cool about lasers and much more!
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Activity
Exploratorium

Exploratorium: Science Snacks: Moire Patterns

For Students 9th - 10th
In this activity, students will use Moire patterns to demonstrate wave interference.
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Activity
Physics Central

Physics Central: Physics in the Snow: Snowy Colors

For Students 6th - 8th
A simple experiment through which students observe the connection between color and heat and prove that dark-colored objects and light-colored objects heat at different rates, even when exposed to the same heat or light source.
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Activity
Texas Instruments

Texas Instruments: Watt's the Deal?

For Teachers 6th - 8th
In this activity, students can use a light probe to measure the light intensities of light bulbs with different wattage ratings.
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Activity
Exploratorium

Exploratorium: Critical Angle

For Students 3rd - 8th
Students can see light reflected and refracted in this demonstration. They will also discover the total internal reflection of light.
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Website
The Wonder of Science

The Wonder of Science: 1 Ps4 2: Illumination and Darkness

For Teachers K - 1st
This NSTA vetted source includes resources to allow students to make observations that prove objects in darkness need light to be illuminated. Included are assessment ideas, videos, examples, lesson plans, and photos of student work.
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Activity
Texas Instruments

Texas Instruments: Comparing Sunscreens

For Teachers 9th - 10th
In this activity, students use the UVB Sensor to measure the amount of UVB light that passes through a thin film of sunscreen. They analyze the relationship between the SPF values and the intensity of UVB light transmitted by the sunscreen.
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Interactive
Florida State University

Florida State University: Molecular Expressions: Refraction of Light

For Students 9th - 10th
Manipulate the incident angle, color of light, wavelength, and medium to see how the refracted angle is affected.
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Activity
Exploratorium

Exploratorium: Soap Bubbles: Create Geometric Art With Soap Films

For Students 3rd - 8th
In this lesson plan students will learn about reflection of light using soap bubbles.
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Lesson Plan
Better Lesson

Better Lesson: Just Passing Through

For Teachers K - 1st
Students will have an opportunity to explore the school during a hunt for 3 materials that allow different amounts of light to pass through. Included in this lesson are videos showing the lesson in progress, examples of students' work,...
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Interactive
CK-12 Foundation

Ck 12: Physics Simulation: Least Time

For Students 9th - 10th
[Free Registration/Login Required] Explore how Snell's Law arises out of the principle of least time; understand how light rays change direction at interfaces between materials using this interactive simulation. A PDF worksheet and a...
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PPT
Sophia Learning

Sophia: Energy: Machines, Motion and Light

For Students 9th - 10th
An introductory lesson describing the definition of energy, and highlighting different sources of usable energy.
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Unit Plan
CK-12 Foundation

Ck 12: Diffraction Calculations

For Students 9th - 10th
[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...
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eBook
Simon Fraser University

Chem1 Virtual Textbook: Primer on Quantum Theory of the Atom

For Students 9th - 10th
Covering a range of topics related to the quantum theory of the atom, this site provides a three-part dissection of atomic theory including information on particles, waves, light, electrons, and atoms.
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Website
University of Minnesota

University of Minnesota: How Does Light Travel?

For Students 9th - 10th
Contains a four step procedure to deriving the law of reflection using algebra, Fermat's principle, and calculus (simple derivatives). This is good for an in-class theoretical exercise.

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