TN Physics Standards

Optics

site for teachers | PowerPoint show | Acrobat document | Word document | whiteboard resource | sound | video format | interactive lesson | a quiz | lesson plan | to print

Physics: Standard 4 - Optics
Checks for Understanding 4.1 | 4.2 | 4.3 | 4.4 | 4.5 | 4.6 | 4.7 | 4.8 | 4.9 | 4.10
Science Curriculum Standards 3231 - Physics	Internet Resources
Explore properties of electromagnetic radiation. 4.1	Electromagnetic Spectrum - In this applet, you can click on the wavelength/frequency scale and change the wavelength and frequency by dragging the mouse or by using the arrow keys on the keyboard. Holding the shift key down while pressing the left or right arrow keys changes the wavelength by a factor of 10. Electromagnetic Wave - This animation (java applet) shows an electromagnetic wave, namely a plane polarized wave, which propagates in positive x direction.
Examine properties of light waves. 4.2	Electromagnetic Wave - This animation (java applet) shows an electromagnetic wave, namely a plane polarized wave, which propagates in positive x direction.
Investigate the polarization of light. 4.3	A set of Polarization lessons accompanied by interactive applets Building the impossible kaleidoscope - create colors by rotating the plane of polarization (scroll down, you did arrive at the right page)
Investigate the optical properties of plane and curved mirrors [Focal length:1/f =1/do+1/di; Images in mirrors and lens, hi/ho = di/do]. 4.4	An index of ray optics animations from the Physics Classroom Ray Diagrams - Concave Mirrors Ray Diagrams - Convex Mirrors
Investigate the optical properties of plane and curved lenses. 4.5	An index of ray optics animations from the Physics Classroom Ray Diagram Simulator - change variables - double convex lens The anatomy of a lens Refraction by Lenses Image Formation Revisited Ray Diagrams (converging lenses) Object-Image Relations Ray Diagrams (diverging lenses) Object-Image Relations The Mathematics of Lenses Thick Lens java applet which allows your students to manipulate the variables The transmission of a wave through dense media - Reflection and Refraction (an excellent java applet which allows your students to manipulate the variables
Draw, explain, and solve problems for the optics of mirrors and lenses. 4.6	An index of ray optics animations from the Physics Classroom Ray Diagrams - Concave Mirrors Ray Diagrams - Convex Mirrors Ray Diagram Simulator - change variables - double convex lens The anatomy of a lens Refraction by Lenses Image Formation Revisited Ray Diagrams (converging lenses) Object-Image Relations Ray Diagrams (diverging lenses) Object-Image Relations The Mathematics of Lenses Thick Lens java applet which allows your students to manipulate the variables The transmission of a wave through dense media - Reflection and Refraction (an excellent java applet which allows your students to manipulate the variables
Investigate optical phenomena (i.e., mirage, optical illusions, and dichromatic lens effect). 4.7	A set of Polarization lessons accompanied by interactive applets Make a permanent rainbow - Study thin film interference by making this "permanent rainbow." There is a good color calculator at the bottom of this page. (scroll down, you did arrive at the right page) Building the impossible kaleidoscope - create colors by rotating the plane of polarization (scroll down, you did arrive at the right page) Building a simple spectroscope (scroll down, you did arrive at the right page)
Solve problems related to Snell’s law [Index of refraction: n = (sin ?r / sin ?i); Snell’s law: ni sin ?i = nr sin ?r]. 4.8	The mathematics of refraction - Snell's law Boundary Behavior - the concepts behind the math known as Snell's law Snell's law Java applet from Northwestern University - manipulate the variables on both sides of the boundary, and see a wave front view or a laser view Refraction and Reflection - change the indices of refraction of the two media, and drag the incoming ray to any angle between 0 and 90 degrees
Differentiate among transmission, reflection, refraction, diffraction, and interference of light waves. 4.9	Beat Frequencies in Sound - A beat frequency or beat wave is a sound of fluctuating volume caused when you add two sound waves of slightly different frequencies. Beats - a java applet to investigate this sound phenomenon Boundary Behavior - the concepts behind the math known as Snell's law Diffraction of Light by a Single Slit - an applet to investigate diffraction Hearing Subtraction - an activity on beats and frequency Index of wave terms - good diagrams accompany each definition The mathematics of refraction - Snell's law Refraction and Reflection - change the indices of refraction of the two media, and drag the incoming ray to any angle between 0 and 90 degrees Standing Wave - Explanation by Superposition with the Reflected Wave Snell's law Java applet from Northwestern University - manipulate the variables on both sides of the boundary, and see a wave front view or a laser view
Explore the formation of color (both additive and subtractive properties) [Additive Color Theory: W= B+G+R: Y= G+R: =B+G: M = R+B; Subtractive Color Theory: B=W–Y: C= W–R: M=W–G]. 4.10	Electromagnetic and visible spectra Light absorption, reflection, and transmission - this tutorial includes practice questions Form white light by adding three colors of light using a click and drag applet Color addition - two questions to check understanding conclude this tutorial Color subtraction - examples are followed by a series of questions to check understanding Blue skies and red sunsets Mix light beams or paint pigments with this java applet (double right click to switch from light to paint) Shadows from overlapping colored light - This java applet let you play with shadow and image. To make it more fun, there are 3 different colors (Red/Green/Blue) light source.