Energy and Control: Grade 8 - Optics

Overall Expectations (O.E. column below)
  1. demonstrate an understanding of the properties of visible light and the properties of other types of electromagnetic radiation, including infrared and ultraviolet rays, X-rays, microwaves, and radio waves;
  2. investigate the properties of visible light, including the effects of reflection and refraction, and recognize how these properties are used in optical devices;
  3. describe ways in which different sources of visible light and the properties of light, both natural and artificial, are used by humans for different purposes.
Related Web Pages
Site Name Online O.E. Description
Kaleidoscope Heaven 1,3 A great site!! The info area has decriptions on how to make a simple kaleidoscope, history , books & references. Many links covers this topic extensively.
Optics for kids 1,3 This site, developed by Bruce Irving - Optical Research Associates,contains lots of interactive data, great diagrams, definition links,etc.
Visualize Science 1,2 This site contains a wide range of simulated activities useful to explore a variety of concepts in the Structures and Mechanisms and Energy and Control Strands.
Converging Lens 2 This experiment simulates a 'thin converging lens' and shows the 3 basic rays that you can 'trace' to find the image. You can drag the lens back and forth, measure distances with the ruler, change the object size, and change the focal length.
Virtual Prism 1,2 The prism can be used to make miniature rainbows in the classroom. This virtual prism lets you see why Snell's Law can make that pretty spectrum of colours we see in the sky.
Light Basics
1
 Basic information on light speed, etc.
Light & Optics 2,3 This module investigates these particle-light interactions and the assortment of optical effects they produce. Rainbows, sunsets, and halos are three of the topics.
Make a Splash with Colour 2,3 An excellent site that deals with many areas of colour interactively including Talking about Colour, The Lighter Side of Colour, and An Eye on Colour.
How a Microwave Oven Works 1 Basic information on how a microwave oven works.