Ray Optics: Refraction and Lenses



We have 20 ready-to-use problem sets on the topic of Refraction and Lenses. These problem sets focus on the use of Snell's Law, the lens equation, and the magnification equation to analyze situation the refraction of light at boundaries and the formation of images by converging and diverging lenses.


Click a link to open a publicly-available problem set.  If you are a Task Tracker student, open the assignment using the link on the Task Tracker assignment board.

 
 
Problem Set RL1 – Angle Measures
Utilize a protractor to determine angles of incidence and refraction for a light ray passing from one medium to another. Includes 5 problems.

 
 
Problem Set RL2 – The Speed of Light
Relate the speed at which light travels through a material to the index of refraction of that material. Includes 4 problems.

 
 
Problem Set RL3 – Trigonometry Review
Use trigonometric functions to relate the length of the sides of a right triangle to the angle measures within the triangle and to apply such an understanding to real-world scenarios. Includes 9 problems.

 
 
Problem Set RL4 – Snell's Law 1
Use Snell's Law to determine and angle of incidence or an angle of refraction for light refracting at a boundary. Includes 5 problems.

 
 
Problem Set RL5 – Snell's Law 2
Use Snell's Law to determine an index of refraction value of an unknown material from knowledge of the angles of incidence and refraction. Includes 5 problems.

 
 
Problem Set RL6 – Snell's Law 3
Use Snell's Law to analyze a diagram or complex scenario involving refraction and determine an unknown angle or n value. Includes 5 problems.

 
 
Problem Set RL7 – Snell's Law 4
Combine Snell's Law with the relationship between the speed of light and the index of refraction to determine an angle of incidence or refraction or a speed of light value. Includes 5 problems.

 
 
Problem Set RL8 – Snell's Law 5
Use Snell's Law to analyze a multiple-boundary refraction problems such as a problem involving layers of materials. Includes 6 problems.

 
 
Problem Set RL9 – Snell's Law 6
Combine Snell's Law with trigonometric function to analyze a complex scenario involving refraction with distances and spatial information provided. Includes 6 problems.

 
 
Problem Set RL10 – Critical Angle 1
Determine the critical angle for a given substance when surrounded by air. Includes 7 problems.

 
 
Problem Set RL11 – Critical Angle 2
Determine the critical angle for a given substance when surrounded by a material other than air. Includes 6 problems.

 
 
Problem Set RL12 – Critical Angle 3
Use Snell's Law and/or the critical angle equation to analyze more complex scenarios involving total internal reflection. Includes 6 problems.

 
 
Problem Set RL13 – Lenses: Anatomy and Concepts
Identify the meaning and sign conventions associated with focal length, image height, image distance, and magnification. Includes 6 problems.

 
 
Problem Set RL14 – Converging Lenses 1
Use the lens equation and magnification ratio to analyze two converging lens scenarios involving placement of the object at four strategic locations (0.5•f, 1.5•f, 2.0•f, and 3.0•f) in order to determine the image distances and heights. Includes 2 multi-part problems.

 
 
Problem Set RL15 – Converging Lenses 2
Use the lens equation and magnification ratio to determine the image distance and magnification for a given focal length, object distance, and object height. Includes 5 problems.

 
 
Problem Set RL16 – Converging Lenses 3
Use the lens equation and magnification ratio to determine an unknown quantity in a Physics word problem involving a converging lens. Includes 6 problems.

 
 
Problem Set RL17 – Converging Lenses 4
Analyze a rather sophisticated scenario involving a converging lens in order to solve for an unknown quantity in a Physics word problem. Includes 5 problems.

 
 
Problem Set RL18 – Converging Lenses 5
Use the lens equation, careful reading, critical thinking skills, and some sophisticated algebra to solve a physics word problem involving a converging lens. Includes 6 problems.

 
 
Problem Set RL19 – Diverging Lenses
Use the lens equation and magnification ratio to solve a Physics word problem involving a diverging lens.  Includes 6 problems.

 
 
Problem Set RL20 – Lenses: Mixed Type
Use the lens equation and magnification ratio to solve Physics word problems of varying complexity that involve a lens (both converging and diverging). Includes 6 problems.