Reflection and refraction
From Algodoo
Reflection and refraction
| Language: | English |
|---|---|
| Description: | In this lesson students investigate reflection and refraction of light. By altering the angle of incidence the refraction and reflection of a glass object is investigated, including total reflection. Index of refraction can easily be changed and its effect immediately inves- tigated. An optical fibre can easily be created and its influence on light of different colors can be investigated. |
| Target: | Key Stage 3 |
| Category: | Exercise, Laboratory |
| Discipline: | Optics |
| Learning objectives: |
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| In class: | Discuss how different materials affect a beam of light. Discuss how a beam of light can be reflected, refracted and absorbed. What is total reflection?
Discuss how this can be visualized and explored in Algodoo. Let the students create scenes in Algodoo using the suggestions you came up with together or let them use their own ideas. Help the students make decisions and ask guiding questions. Encourage the students to follow the procedure Create – Predict – Interact – evaluate. Allow the students to follow-up and share their experiences in class after the simulation. |
Steps in Algodoo
Create a scene
Create glass blocks by using the rectangle tool.
Make a prediction
How will the glass influence the laser beam? What happens when light from air hits the glass? What happens when light from glass hits air?
Run/interact
Point a laser beam towards the glass blocks. Rotate the laser to change the angle of incidence. Change the index of refraction.
Evaluate
What does a high index of refraction do to the light compared to a low index of refraction? What is the difference between light hitting an air-glass boundary and light hitting a glass-air boundary? Can you find an angle of total reflection when all the light reflects and none transmits?
Revise scene
Create optical fibers of glass by using the brush tool. Make different shapes of fibers.
Run/interact
Can the optical fiber have any shape? Do all colors of light work?
Make a prediction
Add lasers and direct it into the fibers. Rotate the laser and investigate what happens to the light beams as it travels through the fiber. Does the beam always go through the whole length of the fiber?
Evaluate
Explain how the light travels through the fiber. What happens when white light is used?
