Light, Optics and Lenses

What this unit covers

The resources follow the usual path through light. Early ones deal with how light travels, luminous and non-luminous objects, shadows and colour filters. Later ones move on to reflection, refraction, total internal reflection, prisms, lenses and the eye.

Where to start

Begin with the basics. The Light KS3 flashcards ask how light travels and what a luminous object is. Then try the Light Quiz, which checks ideas such as why we see things and how shadows form. The Colours of light and filters quiz is a good next step if colour is still shaky.

Reflection, refraction and lenses

Once the basics feel secure, move to the 0654 Reflection & Refraction of Light Quiz. It uses a ray diagram of light meeting a glass block and asks you to read the angles. The 0654 Light Quiz goes on to the refractive index of glass and a converging lens. The mind map Lenses covers converging and diverging lenses, focal length, real and virtual images, magnification and the power of a lens.

Using quizzes and maps together

1. Take a quiz without notes and see which questions you miss.
2. Open a mind map on that idea, such as Refraction or Light, and read the branches.
3. Go back to the flashcards to fix key terms.
4. Retake the quiz a few days later.

Exam-minded students will find resources that mention GCSE Physics, IGCSE Physics, A-level Physics and IB Physics. Teachers can pick out ready-made quizzes and slide sets for a class.

Where it fits

This unit sits in the Waves, Sound and Light strand of Physics, so it pairs naturally with other wave topics. Choose one resource that matches what you are studying today and work through it.