written by
Michael Davidson, Matthew J. Parry-Hill, Robert Sutter, and Thomas J. Fellers
published by
the Olympus America, Inc. and the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory
This item is a tutorial for introductory physics students on the topic of refraction. It contains an introduction to basic concepts, a brief history of refraction experimentation, refractive index values, light dispersion, and applications of Snell's equation. Also included are links to six interactive Java simulations related to the refraction of light.
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=6955">Davidson, M, M. Parry-Hill, R. Sutter, and T. Fellers. Molecular Expressions: Optical Microscopy Primer - Refraction of Light. Center Valley: Olympus America, Inc., August 1, 2003.</a>
M. Davidson, M. Parry-Hill, R. Sutter, and T. Fellers, (Olympus America, Inc., Center Valley, 2003), WWW Document, (https://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/primer/lightandcolor/refractionhome.html).
M. Davidson, M. Parry-Hill, R. Sutter, and T. Fellers, Molecular Expressions: Optical Microscopy Primer - Refraction of Light (Olympus America, Inc., Center Valley, 2003), <https://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/primer/lightandcolor/refractionhome.html>.
Davidson, M., Parry-Hill, M., Sutter, R., & Fellers, T. (2003, August 1). Molecular Expressions: Optical Microscopy Primer - Refraction of Light. Retrieved May 11, 2025, from Olympus America, Inc.: https://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/primer/lightandcolor/refractionhome.html
Davidson, M, M. Parry-Hill, R. Sutter, and T. Fellers. Molecular Expressions: Optical Microscopy Primer - Refraction of Light. Center Valley: Olympus America, Inc., August 1, 2003. https://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/primer/lightandcolor/refractionhome.html (accessed 11 May 2025).
Davidson, Michael, Matthew J. Parry-Hill, Robert Sutter, and Thomas J. Fellers. Molecular Expressions: Optical Microscopy Primer - Refraction of Light. Center Valley: Olympus America, Inc., 2003. 1 Aug. 2003. 11 May 2025 <https://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/primer/lightandcolor/refractionhome.html>.
@misc{
Author = "Michael Davidson and Matthew J. Parry-Hill and Robert Sutter and Thomas J. Fellers",
Title = {Molecular Expressions: Optical Microscopy Primer - Refraction of Light},
Publisher = {Olympus America, Inc.},
Volume = {2025},
Number = {11 May 2025},
Month = {August 1, 2003},
Year = {2003}
}
%A Michael Davidson %A Matthew J. Parry-Hill %A Robert Sutter %A Thomas J. Fellers %T Molecular Expressions: Optical Microscopy Primer - Refraction of Light %D August 1, 2003 %I Olympus America, Inc. %C Center Valley %U https://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/primer/lightandcolor/refractionhome.html %O text/html
%0 Electronic Source %A Davidson, Michael %A Parry-Hill, Matthew J. %A Sutter, Robert %A Fellers, Thomas J. %D August 1, 2003 %T Molecular Expressions: Optical Microscopy Primer - Refraction of Light %I Olympus America, Inc. %V 2025 %N 11 May 2025 %8 August 1, 2003 %9 text/html %U https://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/primer/lightandcolor/refractionhome.html
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This is an interactive Java tutorial that explores how refractive index values are related to the angle of refraction in monochromatic light passing from one medium to another.
This is an interactive Java simulation on the phenomenon known as "beam-splitting". A virtual beam of incident light is passed through two wedge prisms, which deflect light by refraction rather than reflection. Users control the wedge orientation to "steer" the beam up and down on the screen.
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