Optics Reflection and Refraction: A Virtual Simulation

This is a simulation that teaches learners about a particular topic (Alessi, 1988). More specifically, this is a simulation to teach basic principles of light reflection and refraction in physics (optics).

After completion of this simulation the students will: › Describe the Laws of Reflection using

concave and convex mirrors › Demonstrate image formation with concave

mirrors and convex mirrors › Describe the Laws of Refraction using

concave and convex lenses › Demonstrate image formation using

concave and convex lenses

› High school and/or College Students › Requirements: Basic knowledge of Geometry and

Trigonometry. › No prior knowledge on optics reflection and

refraction is assumed.

› Source of Light (Monochromatic and Fixed) › Type of Mirror or Lens (Concave or Convex) › Focal Length of Mirror or Lens › Distance between the Object and Mirror or

Lens › Height of the Object › Angle of the Mirror or Lens to the Horizontal

Axis › Vertical Position of the Mirror or Lens

(Horizontal position is fixed)

› Type of Image (Real or Virtual)

› Distance between the Image and the Center of the Mirror or Lens on the Horizontal Axis

› Height of the Image

› Runs a Continuous-State and Deterministic Model

› Values are on a Continuum of Real or

Complex values › Inputs of the model will always lead to the

same output (Mielke, 2009).

Because the concept of upright and inverted image is important for understanding of image formation we decided to add objects that clearly display the change in vertical orientations (i.e. butterfly, arrow, bugs).