The Physics Classroom » Lesson Plans » Algebra Based Physics » Refraction and Lenses

Refraction and Lenses

The lesson plans below include links to the specific resources on our website.

Teacher Guides for labs can be found here.

NOTE: All CalcPad problem sets are customized problem sets created specifically for this course. The links direct users to the Guest version. Task Tracker users should use the link on the Task Tracker page to the trackable CalcPad version.


 


 
 

Day 1 of Refraction and Lenses

Lesson Plan
  1. Introduce unit
  2. Lab 1 - Refraction Action
    Do and process; supporting animation: The Broken Pencil
  3. Discuss refraction: boundary behavior; bending of light's path; media ∆ ==> speed ∆ ==> direction ∆; towards vs. away from the normal; angles of incidence and refraction
  4. Pair Practice: Light Refraction Think Sheet
 
Homework/Announcements
  1. Reading: Physics Classroom Tutorial, Refraction and the Ray Model of Light: Lesson 1, Parts a-d
  2. Minds On Physics: Mission RL1 on Meaning and Cause of Refraction
 
 

Day 2 of Refraction and Lenses

Lesson Plan
  1. Lab 2 - Direction of Bending
    Do and process: summarize an FST rule and an SFA rule and equivalent density rules
  2. Pair Practice: Direction of Bending
  3. Concept Builder: Refraction - Law Enforcement (first 3 of 4 activities)
 
Homework/Announcements
  1. Reading: Physics Classroom Tutorial, Refraction and the Ray Model of Light: Lesson 1, Parts e-f
  2. Finish Concept Builder: Refraction - Law Enforcement if not completed in class
 
 

Day 3 of Refraction and Lenses

Lesson Plan
  1. Review; then allow some time to apply using:
    Minds On Physics: Mission RL2 on Light Speed and Refraction
    Minds On Physics: Mission RL3 on Optical Density, n, and Refraction
  2. Lab 3 - How Much?
 
Homework/Announcements
  1. Reading: Physics Classroom Tutorial, Refraction and the Ray Model of Light: Lesson 2, Parts a-b
  2. Finish Mission RL2 and Mission RL3 if not completed in class


 

Day 4 of Refraction and Lenses

Lesson Plan
  1. Complete Lab 3 - How Much?
    Process results; develop a Snell's Law equation; define terms in the equation
  2. Guided/Individual Practice: Snell's Law Think Sheet
  3. Minds On Physics: Mission RL4 on Snell's Law
 
Homework/Announcements
  1. Reading: Physics Classroom Tutorial, Refraction and the Ray Model of Light: Lesson 2, Parts c-d
  2. if not completed in class, finish Minds On Physics: Mission RL4 on Snell's Law


 

Day 5 of Refraction and Lenses

Lesson Plan
  1. Review Q#3-4 of Snell's Law Think Sheet, then do ...
  2. Lab 4 - The Unknown n
  3. CalcPad - Refraction and Lenses 1: Snell's Law
 
Homework/Announcements
  1. Reading: Physics Classroom Tutorial, Refraction and the Ray Model of Light: Lesson 2, Part d
  2. Complete CalcPad - Refraction and Lenses 1: Snell's Law
 

 

Day 6 of Refraction and Lenses

Lesson Plan
  1. Physics Interactives: Refraction Simulation with Student Activity Sheet 
  2. Discuss Total Internal Reflection
    What it is, when it happens (2 requirements; critical angle def'n and equation; clarify the three cases: angle of incidence 1) < critical angle, 2) = critical angle, and 3) > critical angle; demonstrations
  3. Pair Practice: Total Internal Reflection Think Sheet
  4. Complete: Total Internal Reflection Concept Checker
 
Homework/Announcements
  1. Reading: Physics Classroom Tutorial, Refraction and the Ray Model of Light: Lesson 3, Parts b-c
  2. If not done in class, complete Total Internal Reflection Concept Checker
 
 

Day 7 of Refraction and Lenses

Lesson Plan
  1. Review Critical Angle equation; a couple of practice problems
  2. Lab 5 - A Critical Lab
  3. Concept Builder: Total Internal Reflection
  4. Start homework
 
Homework/Announcements
  1. Minds On Physics: Mission RL5 on Total Internal Reflection
  2. CalcPad - Refraction and Lenses 2: Critical Angle
 
 

Day 8 of Refraction and Lenses

Lesson Plan
  1. Lab 6 - Exploring Lenses Lab
  2. Discuss Lenses using Lenses Think Sheet; use whiteboard optics demonstrations where possible
  3. Minds On Physics: Mission RL7 on Converging vs. Diverging Lenses
 
Homework/Announcements
  1. Reading: Physics Classroom Tutorial, Refraction and the Ray Model of Light: Lesson 5, Parts a - c
  2. If not done in class, complete Mission RL7
 
 

Day 9 of Refraction and Lenses

Lesson Plan
  1. Lab 7 - The L•O•S•T Art of Image Description
  2. Discuss ray diagramming and object-image relationships using Ray Diagrams for Converging Lenses Think Sheet
  3. Concept Builder: The L•O•S•T Art of Image Description (Converging Lenses)
 
Homework/Announcements
  1. Reading: Physics Classroom Tutorial, Refraction and the Ray Model of Light: Lesson 5, Parts d-e
  2. Complete Concept Builder: The L•O•S•T Art of Image Description (Converging Lenses)
 
 

Day 10 of Refraction and Lenses

Lesson Plan
  1. Introduce lens equation and magnification ratio; discuss sign notations; do ~2 example problems from Lens Practice Think Sheet
  2. Physics Interactives: Optics Bench - Lenses with Student Activity Sheet
    Do and process; follow-up with the Concept Checker
  3. Minds On Physics: Mission RL9 on Image Characteristics for Converging Lenses
 
Homework/Announcements
  1. Reading: Physics Classroom Tutorial, Refraction and the Ray Model of Light: Lesson 5, Part h
  2. CalcPad - Refraction and Lenses 3: Lens Equation


 

Day 11 of Refraction and Lenses

Lesson Plan
  1. Do more lens equation practice problems from Lens Practice Think Sheet
  2. Discuss diverging lenses; ray diagrams and object-image relationships; use Ray Diagrams for Diverging Lenses Think Sheet
  3. Minds On Physics: Mission RL11 on Image Characteristics for Diverging Lenses
 
Homework/Announcements
  1. Reading: Physics Classroom Tutorial, Refraction and the Ray Model of Light: Lesson 5, Part f-g
  2. CalcPad - Refraction and Lenses 4: Lens Equation


 

Day 12 of Refraction and Lenses

Lesson Plan
Review day: this is a chance for students to process ideas, work independently or together, and prepare for exam. Suggested online review activities include:
 
  1. Minds On Physics: Mission RL6 on TIR and Critical Angle
  2. Minds On Physics: Mission RL8 on Converging Lenses - Ray Tracing
  3. Minds On Physics: Mission RL10 on Diverging Lenses - Ray Tracing
  4. CalcPad - Refraction and Lenses 5: Unit Review
  5. The Review Session - Refraction and Lenses​

NOTE: The above assignments are intended as optional review assignments and not required assignments.

​Homework/Announcements
  1. Prepare for Tomorrow's Test
  2. Complete all unfinished work