The links on the table below lead to portable document files that can be viewed and printed on any computer with Adobe Acrobat Reader.
The documents and all material contained therein are © Dean Baird. All rights reserved. They may be used by teachers and students for classroom instruction. Beyond that, no part of these documents may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the author.
| GUIDES | |
| 1 | Light Examples
/ Indices of Refraction Reference Definition of equations, explanation of equations, worked out example problems. Reference chart on indices of refraction. |
| 2 | Making
Waves 5 Step-by-step illustration of how electromagnetic waves are formed. |
| 3 | Electromagnetic
Spectrum Description of how electromagnetic waves are made, why they propagate at a particular speed, how different wavelength/frequency ranges are different from each other. |
| 4 | Reflection Specular and diffuse reflection are distinguished; the law of reflection is developed. |
| 5 | Refraction
Analogies Toy axle, life guard; the principle of least time is discussed. |
| 6 | Refraction
Math Snell's Law illustrated. |
| 7 | Total
Internal Reflection Description and explanation of total internal reflection. Includes derivation of the equation for critical angle. |
| 8 | Atmospheric
Refraction Description of gradual atmospheric refraction and an explanation of mirages. |
| 9 | Dispersion Explanation of dispersion. |
| JOBS - The unlinked titles below are available in the Conceptual Physics lab manual from Pearson Education - Amazon link | |
| 1 |
Electromagnetic Spectrum This is an in-class research activity. Students use textbooks, reference posters, and the World Wide Web (if available) to assemble data and application info regarding the EM spectrum. |
| 2 | Reflections
I
Lab Springboard A discussion lab activity to investigate plane reflection using ray box optics. |
| 3 | Diversion Into Refraction I Lab
Springboard A discussion lab activity to investigate refraction using ray box optics. |
| 4 |
Coin in the Cup Lab Springboard - Presentation (Zipped
QuickTime) A discussion lab "magic trick" involving refraction. |
| 5 |
Index
of Refraction Springboard - Answers - Presentation
(QuickTime) A classroom discussion to clarify the meaning of the index of refraction. |
| 6 |
Critical Angle Lab Springboard
- Presentation
(QuickTime) A discussion lab activity to investigate total internal reflection and critical angle. |
| 7 |
Mirage Tank Lab Springboard - Presentation
(QuickTime) A discussion lab activity to investigate gradual refraction (the phenomenon underlying mirages). |
| 8 |
Dispersion Diversion Lab Springboard
- Presentation
(QuickTime) A discussion lab activity to investigate dispersion using ray box optics. |
| 9 |
Understanding
Rainbows Springboard - Answers - Presentation
(QuickTime) Explaining how a rainbow is formed, I mean really explaining it is among the most difficult things to do in a physics class. The physics is easy; the geometry is tough. This is a classroom discussion designed to explain how rainbows are formed. |
| LABS | |
| 1 | Mirror
Misunderstandings - Sheets Thorough inquiry into the nature of reflection from a plane mirror. Deals with the location of a reflected image, the length of the shortest mirror needed to see a complete image, what the mirror reverses and what it doesn't reverse (such as left and right). Thanks to Dewey Dykstra! |
| OTHER | |
| 1 2 |
Light Begins With
an M - Presentation (QuickTime) Part of the "Physics Begins with an M" series. Make a transperency and put it on the overhead on the first day of the unit to enhance curiousity in the material of the unit. Light Begins With an M Keynote A nifty Keynote presentation of the M's. (Keynote is Apple's presentation software; PowerPoint is Microsoft's presentation software.) Trust me, neither Keynote nor PowerPoint are The Great Saviors of education. I recommend using them sparingly if at all. Better to teach! |
| 3 | Light Crossword Puzzle Grid - Clues Crossword puzzles are highly personalized and may not always translate well from my classroom to yours. |
| 4 | NEW: PracTest
Complete Note: Question 10 has been changed. OLD: Practice Test Questions - Answers Sample test questions covering magnetism and induction. |
| OLD | |
| Using
Snell's
Law Lab Springboard - Answers A discussion lab activity to apply Snell's Law to determine index of refraction using ray box optics. |
|
| Using TIR
to Determine n Lab Springboard -
Answers A discussion lab activity to apply total internal reflection in determining index of refraction using ray box optics. |
|
Click here for a legend and explanation of cryptic terms and abbreviations.
Return to the Phyz Home Page.