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written by Michael Davidson
published by the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory
This item is an interactive tutorial on the topic of light reflection.  It integrates background information with related Java simulations that allow users to explore the Law of Reflection, reflection from smooth and rough surfaces, concave and convex mirrors, faceted diamond reflection, and total internal reflection (TIR).  Developed by the respected Molecular Expressions team, it could serve as content support for K-12 science teachers and/or students in an introductory physics class.  The simulations are especially well designed to allow users to "see" what is happening when light reflects.  

This item is part of a much larger collection of materials on optics and microscopy developed by the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory at Florida State University.

Please note that this resource requires Java.
Subjects Levels Resource Types
Optics
- Geometrical Optics
= Reflection - Curved Surfaces
= Reflection - Flat Surfaces
= Total Internal Reflection
- Professional Development
- Lower Undergraduate
- High School
- Instructional Material
= Interactive Simulation
= Tutorial
- Reference Material
Appropriate Courses Categories Ratings
- Physical Science
- Physics First
- Conceptual Physics
- Algebra-based Physics
- AP Physics
- Activity
- Laboratory
- New teachers
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Intended Users:
Educator
Learner
Formats:
application/java
text/html
Access Rights:
Free access
Additional information is available.
Restriction:
© 2003 National High Magnetic Field Laboratory-2008
Keywords:
Law of Reflection, Simulations, concave mirrors, convex mirrors, diffuse reflection, light, light simulation, mirrors, optics, specular reflection, total internal reflection
Record Cloner:
Metadata instance created May 18, 2009 by Caroline Hall
Record Updated:
June 24, 2014 by Bruce Mason
Last Update
when Cataloged:
December 13, 2007
Other Collections:

This resource is part of 2 Physics Front Topical Units.


Topic: Nature and Behavior of Light
Unit Title: Ray Optics -- Reflection and Refraction of Light

This interactive tutorial offers teachers a way to build content knowledge of light reflection.  By integrating four Java simulations, the resource is fun and allows the user to more readily "see" what is happening as light reflects off both a flat and a curved surface.  Also includes more advanced concepts such as total internal reflection.

Link to Unit:

Topic: Nature and Behavior of Light
Unit Title: Ray Optics -- Reflection and Refraction of Light

Java-based Tutorial                                                                 Grades 11-12
This is an exemplary tutorial for introductory physics students, integrating background information on light reflection with four Java simulations.  Students can interactively investigate the Law of Reflection, concave and convex mirrors, reflection from smooth and rough surfaces, and total internal reflection.  We highly recommend it to supplement labs on reflection.

Link to Unit:
ComPADRE is beta testing Citation Styles!

Record Link
AIP Format
M. Davidson, (National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Tallahassee, 2003), WWW Document, (https://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/primer/lightandcolor/reflectionintro.html).
AJP/PRST-PER
M. Davidson, Molecular Expressions: Reflection of Light (National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Tallahassee, 2003), <https://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/primer/lightandcolor/reflectionintro.html>.
APA Format
Davidson, M. (2007, December 13). Molecular Expressions: Reflection of Light. Retrieved December 2, 2024, from National High Magnetic Field Laboratory: https://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/primer/lightandcolor/reflectionintro.html
Chicago Format
Davidson, Michael. Molecular Expressions: Reflection of Light. Tallahassee: National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, December 13, 2007. https://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/primer/lightandcolor/reflectionintro.html (accessed 2 December 2024).
MLA Format
Davidson, Michael. Molecular Expressions: Reflection of Light. Tallahassee: National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, 2003. 13 Dec. 2007. 2 Dec. 2024 <https://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/primer/lightandcolor/reflectionintro.html>.
BibTeX Export Format
@misc{ Author = "Michael Davidson", Title = {Molecular Expressions: Reflection of Light}, Publisher = {National High Magnetic Field Laboratory}, Volume = {2024}, Number = {2 December 2024}, Month = {December 13, 2007}, Year = {2003} }
Refer Export Format

%A Michael Davidson %T Molecular Expressions: Reflection of Light %D December 13, 2007 %I National High Magnetic Field Laboratory %C Tallahassee %U https://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/primer/lightandcolor/reflectionintro.html %O application/java

EndNote Export Format

%0 Electronic Source %A Davidson, Michael %D December 13, 2007 %T Molecular Expressions: Reflection of Light %I National High Magnetic Field Laboratory %V 2024 %N 2 December 2024 %8 December 13, 2007 %9 application/java %U https://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/primer/lightandcolor/reflectionintro.html


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Citation Source Information

The AIP Style presented is based on information from the AIP Style Manual.

The APA Style presented is based on information from APA Style.org: Electronic References.

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This resource is stored in 2 shared folders.

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Molecular Expressions: Reflection of Light:

Is Part Of Molecular Expressions: Science, Optics & You - Light and Color

This is the full index of materials by the same authors on Light and Color, developed for use in K-12 science classrooms.

relation by Caroline Hall
Is Part Of http://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/primer/lightandcolor/index.html

This is a link to the full set of intermediate tutorials on Light and Color, spanning topics from reflection and refraction to the wave nature of light and the electromagnetic spectrum.

relation by Caroline Hall

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