Exploring Light Waves
This hands-on lesson introduces students to the fundamental properties of light and optics through interactive experiments at five learning stations. Each station focuses on a different physical phenomenon—reflection, refraction, diffraction, internal reflection, and polarization—allowing students to discover how light behaves in different environments.
NGSS Standards
MS-PS4-2 Develop and use a model to describe that waves are reflected, absorbed, or transmitted through various materials.
Materials
transparent acetate sheets
cardboard with black paper glued to it
Smartphone or tablet (with halogram video/image)
beakers (clear, glass preferred)
test tubes
water
glycerin
cooking oil
CD (used as diffraction grating)
flashlight, candle, or phone flashlight
scissors, tape, silicone, or glue
red laser pointer
2 polarizing discs (or polarized lenses)
Sample digital images (for polarization activity)
Key Words
Wave
Reflection
Transmission
Absorption
Refraction
Diffraction
CD (used as diffraction grating)
Interference
Downloadable Materials
Student
Acknowledgments
The banner is courtesy of macrovector on FreePik
The photo is courtesy of Bettymaya Foott, NRAO/AUI/NSF
