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In support of all the students who are displaced from school due to the Corona virus. Access to physics zone and chemistry zone lessons are now available free of charge. This will be maintained at least through August 1st 2020. Learn and be well.

Physics Lessons Review Links Solutions Physics Shop

Lessons on Waves, Light & Sound

Name Description Type
 Intro to Waves
This lesson is for members only
This lessons examines some of the key principles and vocabulary applying to waves.  Slide Show
Wave Superposition Some very clear simulations of waves occupying the same place at the same time: Simulations
(Java)
Reflection of Waves Simulations of a pulse striking a new medium and a periodic wave striking a new medium Simulations
(Java)
The Origin of Light
This lesson is for members only
 This lesson examines where light comes from at the atomic level. It shows both photon creation and photon absorption.  Movie &
Explanation
Doppler Effect Lab This interactive lab allows you to see the Doppler effect and experiment with aspects that affect the Doppler effect.  Created by Raman Pfaff. Interactive Lab
(Shockwave)
Interference Beat Frequency Lab This interactive lab allows you to hear and experiment with the beat frequency created by the interference of two waves.  Created by Raman Pfaff. Interactive Lab
(Shockwave)
Interference Patterns Lab This interactive lab allows you to overlap two patterns to produce a third "interference" pattern that would apply to light, sound or moir� patterns.
Created by Raman Pfaff.
Interactive Lab
(Shockwave)
Patterned Array Lab This interactive lab allows you to experiment with a patterned (phased) array to see the effects of interference.
Created by Raman Pfaff.
Interactive Lab
(Shockwave)
Resonance
This lesson is for members only
This lesson page has many real life examples of Resonance at work. Animations & Video
(QuickTIme)
Resonance in a Tube
Here are a couple of lessons related to resonance in an open tube or closed tube. Animations, Simulations & Explanations
Single Slit Diffraction Lab
This lesson is for members only
This interactive lesson illustrates the basic principles behind single slit diffraction. Interactive Lab
(Java)
Double Slit Diffraction
This lesson is for members only
Dialog on Double Slit Diffraction (Java)
This lesson illustrates the basic principles behind double slit diffraction. Slide Show
Polarizers
This lesson is for members only
This lesson demonstrates what polarization of light is and how a polarizer can be used to remove some orientations of light. Explanation & Movie
Reflection Reversed
A nice video demonstrating that a mirror doesn't reverse left and right, only forward and back. Video 3:47
Refraction Lesson
This lesson is for members only
Explanation and animations of refraction Lesson & Images
Index of Refraction
This lesson is for members only
This lesson illustrates the concept of index of refraction, Snell's law, and critical angle. Slide Show
Frequency, Wavelength, Energy of a Wave
This lesson is for members only
This is a drill and practice activity.  You will be given the frequency, wavelength, or energy of a wave and be asked to calculate the other two. Drill & Practice
(Javascript)
Reflection & Refraction This interactive Java applet allows you to adjust an incoming ray of light and observe reflection, refraction, and internal reflection.  It also allows you to switch mediums  by Walter Fendt Interactive Lab
(Java)
Reflection & Refraction (explained by Huygens' principle) This lesson shows the basic concepts of reflection and refraction but explains it from the point of view of Huygens' principle.
Created by Walter Fendt.
Interactive Lab
(Java)
Prism & Refraction Lab This interactive lab allows you to experiment with a prism and light source with different colors. Snell's law and the index of refraction are also addressed.
Created by Raman Pfaff..
Interactive Lab
(Shockwave)
Dispersion Through Plane Glass
This lesson is for members only
This interactive lesson allows you to manipulate light passing through a plane piece of glass. Interactive
(Java)
Total Internal Reflection Lab
This lesson is for members only
This interactive lab allows you to explore the concept of the critical angle and total internal reflection.  Also applies concept to diamonds and fiber optics. Interactive
(Java) Lab & Lesson
Spectroscopy
This lesson is for members only
This lesson demonstrates many of the concepts based on spectroscopy.   The visible spectrum, emission spectrum, absorption spectrum, and blue & red shift are all shown. Pictures & Descriptions
Waves Review
This lesson is for members only
A collection of multiple choice questions providing immediate feedback. Multiple Choice Practice
Optics Lesson Collection
This lesson is for members only
This contains many lessons related specifically to optics.