Interactive simulations for science teaching
400 downloadable interactive simulations
Light rays
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- Summary
- Since light moves in straight lines, and because it is not visible, we can draw a line with an arrowhead to represent how the light behaves. Doing so illustrates the ray model of light. The “rays” are represented as line segments leaving primary or secondary sources, and travelling without interruption until they encounter an obstacle. Because it is not possible to draw an infinite number of lines, we sometime draw a beam of light.
- Learning objectives
- To illustrate that light is invisible ! The ray model of light is just a very useful physical model
- To illustrate that we often consider just a few significant rays among the infinite number of them.
- How to use the animation
- Click and drag the rays.
- Share your ideas with us!
- Share your ideas with us!