Light & Optics

How do we see the world? This section explores the dual nature of light and the mathematical principles of reflection and refraction that allow us to design everything from eyeglasses to telescopes.

🚧 Light & Optics content is currently in development. Full lessons, skills, and problems will roll out during the 2026–2027 school year.
A single vintage light bulb with a glowing filament hanging against a dark background.
A light bulb turns electrical energy into two new forms of energy: light and heat. Inside the glass, a tiny wire gets so hot from the electricity that it glows, giving us light.

Core Concepts

Understand the wave and particle nature of light, the electromagnetic spectrum, and the laws of reflection and refraction. Click on a concept to explore the theory.

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Essential Skills

Master ray tracing for mirrors and lenses, calculate image characteristics using the mirror/lens equations, and apply Snell's Law to analyze light passing through different media.

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Practice Problems

Challenge yourself with problems involving focal lengths, magnification, interference patterns, and the physics of color.

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