The Physics Classroom » Lesson Plans » Algebra Based On-Level Physics » Refraction and Lenses

Refraction and Lenses

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Teacher Guides for labs can be found here.

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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