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written by Michael Davidson
published by the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory
This is a comprehensive interactive tutorial on the topic of light refraction.  It integrates background information with related Java simulations that allow users to explore the effects of refraction through a variety of mediums, refraction by a prism, light refraction observed in everyday life, and less common refractive effects such as mirage and looming images.  

This item is part of a larger Microscopy Primer developed by the National High Magnetic Field at Florida State University.  SEE RELATED ITEMS on this page for a link to the complete primer.

Please note that this resource requires Java.
Subjects Levels Resource Types
Optics
- Geometrical Optics
= Refraction - Flat Surfaces
= Refractive Index
- High School
- Lower Undergraduate
- Instructional Material
= Interactive Simulation
= Tutorial
Appropriate Courses Categories Ratings
- Physical Science
- Physics First
- Conceptual Physics
- Algebra-based Physics
- AP Physics
- Activity
- New teachers
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Intended Users:
Learner
Educator
Formats:
text/html
application/java
Access Rights:
Free access
Additional information is available.
Restriction:
© 2003 National High Magnetic Field Laboratory-2008
Keywords:
Huygens, Simulations, Snell's Law, critical angle, light, light refraction, light simulation, optics, prism, refractive index, total internal reflection
Record Cloner:
Metadata instance created May 21, 2009 by Caroline Hall
Record Updated:
March 6, 2010 by Lyle Barbato
Last Update
when Cataloged:
December 15, 2007
Other Collections:

This resource is part of 4 Physics Front Topical Units.


Topic: Nature and Behavior of Light
Unit Title: Behavior of Light

Simulation-Based Tutorial                                                            Grades 9-12
When light waves travel from one substance or medium into another, the waves may undergo a phenomenon known as refraction, which often looks like a bending of the light.  In this high-quality tutorial, students can explore how light behaves as it is refracted through a variety of mediums.  At the same time, they will learn about Snell's Law and form better understanding of the math behind the Index of Refraction.  Three Java simulations make the learning fun.

Link to Unit:

Topic: Nature and Behavior of Light
Unit Title: Behavior of Light

When light waves travel from one medium to another, the waves may undergo a phenomenon known as refraction.  It often looks like the light is "bending".  This tutorial combines simulations with illustrated background information to explain how light behaves as it refracts.  An understanding of this process is an important foundation to learning about lenses and microscopes.

Link to Unit:

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

When light waves travel from one medium to another, the waves may undergo a phenomenon known as refraction.  It often looks like the light is "bending".  This tutorial combines simulations with illustrated background information to explain how light behaves as it refracts.  An understanding of this process is an important foundation to learning about lenses and microscopes.

Link to Unit:

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

Simulation-Based Tutorial                                                            Grades 9-12
When light waves travel from one substance or medium into another, the waves may undergo a phenomenon known as refraction, which often looks like a bending of the light.  In this high-quality tutorial, students can explore how light behaves as it is refracted through a variety of mediums.  At the same time, they will learn about Snell's Law and form better understanding of the math behind the Index of Refraction.  Three Java simulations make the learning fun.

Link to Unit:
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Record Link
AIP Format
M. Davidson, (National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Tallahassee, 2003), WWW Document, (https://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/primer/lightandcolor/refractionintro.html).
AJP/PRST-PER
M. Davidson, Molecular Expressions: Refraction of Light (National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Tallahassee, 2003), <https://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/primer/lightandcolor/refractionintro.html>.
APA Format
Davidson, M. (2007, December 15). Molecular Expressions: Refraction of Light. Retrieved October 7, 2024, from National High Magnetic Field Laboratory: https://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/primer/lightandcolor/refractionintro.html
Chicago Format
Davidson, Michael. Molecular Expressions: Refraction of Light. Tallahassee: National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, December 15, 2007. https://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/primer/lightandcolor/refractionintro.html (accessed 7 October 2024).
MLA Format
Davidson, Michael. Molecular Expressions: Refraction of Light. Tallahassee: National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, 2003. 15 Dec. 2007. 7 Oct. 2024 <https://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/primer/lightandcolor/refractionintro.html>.
BibTeX Export Format
@misc{ Author = "Michael Davidson", Title = {Molecular Expressions: Refraction of Light}, Publisher = {National High Magnetic Field Laboratory}, Volume = {2024}, Number = {7 October 2024}, Month = {December 15, 2007}, Year = {2003} }
Refer Export Format

%A Michael Davidson %T Molecular Expressions: Refraction of Light %D December 15, 2007 %I National High Magnetic Field Laboratory %C Tallahassee %U https://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/primer/lightandcolor/refractionintro.html %O text/html

EndNote Export Format

%0 Electronic Source %A Davidson, Michael %D December 15, 2007 %T Molecular Expressions: Refraction of Light %I National High Magnetic Field Laboratory %V 2024 %N 7 October 2024 %8 December 15, 2007 %9 text/html %U https://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/primer/lightandcolor/refractionintro.html


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Molecular Expressions: Refraction of Light:

Is Part Of http://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/primer/lightandcolor/

This is a link to the complete Optical Microscopy Primer by the same authors.  It contains sections on electromagnetic radiation, particle/wave duality, fluorescence, reflection and refraction, diffraction, interference, color, human vision, and geometrical optics.

relation by Caroline Hall

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