Light

About this lab: Light

Interactive simulation for Cambridge IGCSE Physics 0625 topic 3.2 Light: the law of reflection and image formation in a plane mirror, a ray refracting through a glass block, refractive index from sin i / sin r with a plotted graph and n = c/v, the critical angle and total internal reflection in a semicircular block and in right-angled prisms, a bent optical fibre with a zig-zag ray, converging lens ray diagrams with real and virtual images and magnification, short and long sight corrected with diverging and converging lenses, and the dispersion of white light into a spectrum by a prism.

IGCSE Physics 0625, topic 3.2. Reflection in a plane mirror, refraction, refractive index, total internal reflection, optical fibres, converging lenses, correcting sight and dispersion.

Light is a free, browser-based simulation for Cambridge IGCSE Physics 0625 (topic 3 Waves, section 3.2 Light). The course is assessed in Papers 1 and 2 (multiple choice), 3 and 4 (theory), 5 (practical test) and 6 (alternative to practical). There are 8 tabs, each a self-contained experiment with its own controls and live readings, and nothing to install: it runs on a laptop, tablet or classroom projector.

Syllabus coverage

• 3.2.1 Define and use the terms normal, angle of incidence and angle of reflection
• 3.2.1 Describe the formation of an optical image by a plane mirror and give its characteristics, i.e. same size, same distance from mirror, virtual
• 3.2.2 Define and use the terms normal, angle of incidence and angle of refraction
• 3.2.2 Describe an experiment to show refraction of light by transparent blocks of different shapes
• 3.2.3 Describe the action of thin converging and thin diverging lenses on a parallel beam of light
• 3.2.3 Define and use the terms focal length, principal axis and principal focus (focal point)
• 3.2.4 Describe the dispersion of light as illustrated by the refraction of white light by a glass prism
• 3.2.4 Know the traditional seven colours of the visible spectrum in order of frequency and in order of wavelength
• Lessons on this topic: Reflection: laws and plane mirror images, Refraction of light at boundaries, Critical angle and total internal reflection, Refractive index: n = sin i ÷ sin r, Optical fibres in telecommunications.

Full syllabus map: IGCSE Physics 0625 topic 3.

How to use this simulation

1. 1. Reflection.
2. 2. Refraction.
3. 3. Refractive index.
4. 4. Total internal reflection.
5. 5. Optical fibres.
6. 6. Lenses.
7. 7. Correcting sight.
8. 8. Dispersion.
9. The buttons at the end of the tab strip give the scene the whole window (Full screen, Hide controls) and, on a dark stage, a projector-friendly palette (Light scene). Many scenes also have drag handles: drag them to change the set-up directly.

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