written by
Michael Davidson, Robert Sutter, and Thomas J. Fellers
published by
the Olympus America, Inc. and the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory
This item is an interactive Java simulation for introductory physics students on the topic of refraction. It explores how changes to the incident angle and refractive index differential affect the refraction angle of monochromatic light in two unlike media. Users may choose from more than a dozen materials ranging from low to high refractive index values. Incident angle and wavelength may also be controlled. See Related Materials on this page for a link to the authors' full tutorial on light refraction.
This item is part of a larger collection of materials on optics and microscopy developed by the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory and Florida State University.
<a href="https://www.compadre.org/introphys/items/detail.cfm?ID=6956">Davidson, M, R. Sutter, and T. Fellers. Molecular Expressions: Optical Microscopy Primer - Refraction of Monochromatic Light. Center Valley: Olympus America, Inc., June 15, 2006.</a>
M. Davidson, R. Sutter, and T. Fellers, (Olympus America, Inc., Center Valley, 2003), WWW Document, (https://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/primer/java/refraction/refractionmono/).
M. Davidson, R. Sutter, and T. Fellers, Molecular Expressions: Optical Microscopy Primer - Refraction of Monochromatic Light (Olympus America, Inc., Center Valley, 2003), <https://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/primer/java/refraction/refractionmono/>.
Davidson, M., Sutter, R., & Fellers, T. (2006, June 15). Molecular Expressions: Optical Microscopy Primer - Refraction of Monochromatic Light. Retrieved March 22, 2025, from Olympus America, Inc.: https://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/primer/java/refraction/refractionmono/
Davidson, M, R. Sutter, and T. Fellers. Molecular Expressions: Optical Microscopy Primer - Refraction of Monochromatic Light. Center Valley: Olympus America, Inc., June 15, 2006. https://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/primer/java/refraction/refractionmono/ (accessed 22 March 2025).
Davidson, Michael, Robert Sutter, and Thomas J. Fellers. Molecular Expressions: Optical Microscopy Primer - Refraction of Monochromatic Light. Center Valley: Olympus America, Inc., 2003. 15 June 2006. 22 Mar. 2025 <https://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/primer/java/refraction/refractionmono/>.
@misc{
Author = "Michael Davidson and Robert Sutter and Thomas J. Fellers",
Title = {Molecular Expressions: Optical Microscopy Primer - Refraction of Monochromatic Light},
Publisher = {Olympus America, Inc.},
Volume = {2025},
Number = {22 March 2025},
Month = {June 15, 2006},
Year = {2003}
}
%A Michael Davidson %A Robert Sutter %A Thomas J. Fellers %T Molecular Expressions: Optical Microscopy Primer - Refraction of Monochromatic Light %D June 15, 2006 %I Olympus America, Inc. %C Center Valley %U https://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/primer/java/refraction/refractionmono/ %O application/java
%0 Electronic Source %A Davidson, Michael %A Sutter, Robert %A Fellers, Thomas J. %D June 15, 2006 %T Molecular Expressions: Optical Microscopy Primer - Refraction of Monochromatic Light %I Olympus America, Inc. %V 2025 %N 22 March 2025 %8 June 15, 2006 %9 application/java %U https://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/primer/java/refraction/refractionmono/
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This is the full tutorial by the same authors on Refraction of Light. It includes an introduction to basic concepts, such as refractive index, dispersion, and applications of Snell's equation. Also included are links to six interactive Java simulations relating to refraction.
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