This physics department site features an indexing page for a variety of pages pertaining to atmospheric optics. Topics include rainbows, halos, auroras, mirages, star twinkling, sunsets, green flashes, coronas, and more. Excellent diagrams and clear explanations.
Home page for a hypertext physics course on auditorium acoustics and acoustical design.
The eye and its common defects are discussed along with corrective measures.
This site is from the Physics Department at Georgia State University. The conservation of energy as a fundamental conservation law is presented and compared to other conservation laws (momentum and angular momentum). Links to further information are provided.
See how this principle translates in to fluids and the Bernoulli equation as well as into electric circuits and the voltage law and finally into heat and thermodynamics through the first law of thermodynamics.
The conservation of momentum is technically explained along with a diagram.
At this univeristy physics department site, the polarization of light is explained and illustrated. Methods for analyzing light to determine the degree of polarization are stated and explained with equations.
This physics department site provides links about the diffraction of light. Each page includes thorough explanations and meaningful graphics. Some pages include interactive problem-solving practice sections.
This site's entry is a discussion of diffraction and its application to acoustics and acoustical design. Exceptional illustrations and great discussion throughout.
The phenomenon of light dispersion is explained with a formula and a practice form for calculating Abbe's number.
An equation for the law of universal gravitation is stated. The weight equation (W=m*g) is related to the law. An interactive Javascript form allows the user to practice determining the force of gravity and the acceleration of gravity for various locations about the earth.
This site from Georgia State University Physics Department defines elastic potential energy and explains its origin. Provides an equation for computing elastic potential energy and an opportunity to practice solving problems with an automated problem-solver.
This site from Georgia State University defines electric potential energy and relates it to the concept of electric potential. Discusses the idea of a reference point or a zero potential location.
An excellent overview of electron spin, what it means in non-mathematical terms and quantum mechanical terms.
Excellent review site on similar triangles. Includes diagrams and explanation of application.
This site is from the Physics Department at Georgia State University. The reliance upon the law of conservation of energy as an approach to problem-solving is presented and encouraged. It is modeled through a problem involving a free-falling object.
This physics department site provides a discussion and explanation of fiber optics and fiber optic imaging.
This is a resource for students to use in their study of minerals. It begins with a general description that includes the list of essential characteristics of a "mineral." Minerals are then grouped alphabetically. Selecting a name provides large colorful pictures from the Smithsonian and a description. There are also special sections for Carbonates, Oxides, Sulfides and Sulfates, and Phosphates.
The meaning and cause of refraction--as well as Snell's law of refraction--are discussed. Includes an interactive problem-solving form in which visitors relate angles of refraction to the incident angle and the indices of refraction.
This site defines and explains the concept of gravitational potential energy. Uses many equations and graphics to illustrate the idea. Provides an online computational practice set with immediate feedback.