Download PH1H_CGE_Unit10Light_V01

Unit 10
Fundamentals of Light, Reflection, and Refraction
Fundamentals of Light, Reflection, and Refraction
(20 Days)
Enduring Understanding: Light can be seen with the naked eye, and is one of the primary methods by which information is received by humans.
In everyday life, although humans may not realize, they experience vision of light in straight lines and react accordingly. These same humans,
however, may observe a rainbow in the sky, which is certainly neither white light nor a straight line. Light travels in a straight line and is also a
wave. The ray model of light is based on the nature of light to travel in straight lines; and, the bending (diffraction) of light, as seen in a rainbow,
is the basis for the wave model of light. Both models are related to each other, and each has an appropriate use in explaining phenomena
involving light.
Essential Questions
SC.912.N.3.5
Describe the function of models in science, and identify the wide range of models used in
science.
LA.910.2.2.3
The student will organize information to show understanding or relationships among facts,
ideas, and events (e.g., representing key points within text through charting, mapping,
paraphrasing, summarizing, comparing, contrasting, or outlining.)
SC.912.P.10.20
Describe the measurable properties of waves and explain the relationships among them and
how these properties change when the wave moves from one medium to another.
Does an object have to produce its own light in
order to be seen? (0.5 day)

How is comparing properties of light waves to
mechanical waves helpful in learning about
light? (1 day)
o

Why do some light waves pass through a
polarized filter and some do not?
(1 day)
Student will make observations to develop the ray model of light.
o Student defines and compares luminous sources (objects) versus illuminated
sources (objects).
Student will qualitatively compare reflection and refraction of mechanical waves
using wave fronts and the ray model to the reflection and refraction of light rays.
Student will analyze the polarization of light by filtering.
o
Student will use the wave model of light to explain polarization.
SC.912.L.17.15
Discuss the effects of technology on environmental quality.
How can polarization be used to improve
environmental conditions? (0.5 day)

Student will identify uses of polarization for improving environmental quality.
SC.912.P.12.7
Recognize that nothing travels faster than the speed of light in a vacuum which is the same for
all observers no matter how they or the light source are moving.
SC.912.P.12.8
Recognize that Newton's Laws are a limiting case of Einstein's Special Theory of Relativity at
speeds that are much smaller than the speed of light.
What is the speed of light in a vacuum, and
why does this speed get a special equation
symbol c, instead of using v, for velocity?
(0.5 day)

Student recognizes nothing travels faster than the speed of light in a vacuum.
o Student will recognize the speed of light in a vacuum as a very important and
universal value denoted with a special symbol, c.
𝑐 = 3.00 𝑥 108 𝑚⁄𝑠
What are some similarities and differences
between mechanical and light waves?
(0.5 day)
o
Student will distinguish light as a self-propagating electromagnetic transverse
wave which does not require a medium to travel through, unlike a mechanical
wave.
How can we apply the mathematical equations
used for mechanical waves to electromagnetic
waves?
(2 days)
o
Student will apply concepts to solve problems relating wavelength, frequency, and
the speed of light using
𝑐 = 𝜆𝑓
𝑓=
o
1
𝑇
Student will compare the speed of objects studied using Newton’s Laws to the
speed of light.
SC.912.P.10.21
Qualitatively describe the shift in frequency in sound or electromagnetic waves due to the
relative motion of a source or a receiver.
SC.912.E.5.1
Cite evidence used to develop and verify the scientific theory of the Big Bang (also known as
the Big Bang Theory) of the origin of the universe.
SC.912.N.1.6
Describe how scientific inferences are drawn from scientific observations and provide
examples from the content being studied.
Why is it important to make observations and
record data to help understand and explain the
universe around us?
(1 day)

Student will explain why Edwin Hubble inferred the universe is expanding using
emission spectra data from distant galaxies.
SC.912.P.10.22
Construct ray diagrams and use thin lens and mirror equations to locate the images formed by
lenses and mirrors.
How does the roughness of a surface affect the
light reflecting off the surface into a person’s
eyes? (0.5 day)

How can the ray model of light be used to
explain the law of reflection? (1 day)

Student will distinguish between specular and diffuse reflection.
o
Student will explain the law of reflection.
o
How are image formation, position, height,
magnification, and orientation determined for

Student will categorize examples of common surfaces which exhibit specular or
diffuse reflection.
Student will construct a diagram labeling incident ray, reflecting ray, boundary,
and normal.
𝜃𝑟 = 𝜃𝑖
Student will describe images formed by plane mirrors.
plane mirrors? (2 days)
REQUIRED LAB TOPIC
o
Student will use ray diagrams to qualitatively determine the properties of the
image formed.
o
Student will locate the image position of an object using
𝑑𝑖 = −𝑑𝑜
o
Student will determine image height using
ℎ𝑖 = ℎ𝑜
o
Student will determine if the image is virtual or real.
o
Student will determine image orientation and magnification.
𝑚≡

How are image formation, position, height,
magnification, and orientation determined for
spherical mirrors? (3 days)
REQUIRED LAB TOPIC
ℎ𝑖
ℎ𝑜
=−
𝑑𝑖
𝑑𝑜
Student will describe images formed by spherical mirrors.
o
Student will use ray diagrams to qualitatively determine the properties of the
image formed.
o
Student will calculate distances and focal lengths using the mirror equation.
1 1
1
= +
𝑓 𝑑𝑖 𝑑𝑜
o
Student will determine image orientation and magnification.
𝑚≡
o
ℎ𝑖
ℎ𝑜
=−
𝑑𝑖
𝑑𝑜
Student will determine if image is virtual or real.
How does refraction of light affect what we
see? (3 days)
REQUIRED LAB TOPIC
SC.912.P.10.20
SC.912.P.12.7
 Student will solve problems involving refraction.
o
Student will recognize the speed of light changes when passing from one medium
to another.
o
Student will calculate the index of refraction of different media.
𝑐
𝑛=
𝑣
o
Student will apply concepts using the ray model of light to construct diagrams of
light passing through different media.
o
Student will apply Snell’s Law of Refraction.
𝑛1 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃1 = 𝑛2 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃2
o
How is construction of a lens related to how
the lens refracts light? (0.5 day)
SC.912.P.10.22
 Student will compare types of lenses.

How are image formation, position, height,
magnification, and orientation determined for
thin lenses? (3 days)
REQUIRED LAB TOPIC
Student will relate the critical angle to total internal reflection.
o
Student will define lens.
o
Student will distinguish properties of convex and concave lenses.
Student will describe images formed by thin lenses.
o
Student will use ray diagrams to qualitatively determine the properties of the
image formed.
o
Student will calculate distances and focal lengths using the thin lens equation.
1 1
1
= +
𝑓 𝑑𝑖 𝑑𝑜
o
Student will determine image orientation and magnification.
ℎ
𝑑
𝑚 ≡ ℎ𝑖 = − 𝑑𝑖
𝑜
o
𝑜
Student will determine if image is virtual or real.