Light Waves and Color Tutorial

This tutorial illuminates the notion of light as an electromagnetic wave subject to reflection, interference, and polarization. Color addition and subtraction are also blended into the tutorial. There are three lessons: "How Do We Know Light is a Wave?" "Color and Vision," and "Mathematics of Two-Point Source Interference." Each page includes illustrations and questions to check for student understanding. Student extras and a teacher's guide provide links to other resources for further investigation of light. Interference and polarization are introduced as our evidence that light acts as a wave. The electromagnetic spectrum is described in terms of color and wavelength. Absorption, reflection and transmission of light are explained and applied to additive and subtractive color mixing and sunsets. The mathematics of wave interference are also demonstrated at an algebra level.

Unit Variations

Blooms taxonomy level: 
Understanding

References

Contributors: