Refraction and Lenses

We have 20 ready-to-use problem sets on the topic of Refraction and Lenses, along with many review sets comprised of the problems in these sets (CP = Conceptual Physics, HP = Honors Physics).

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.

Problem Sets

Set RL1 – Angle Measures
5 Problems - Easy Difficulty

Utilize a protractor to determine angles of incidence and refraction for a light ray passing from one medium to another.

Set RL2 – The Speed of Light
4 Problems - Easy Difficulty

Relate the speed at which light travels through a material to the index of refraction of that material.

Set RL3 – Trigonometry Review
9 Problems - Medium Difficulty

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.

Set RL4 – Snell's Law 1
5 Problems - Medium Difficulty

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

Set RL5 – Snell's Law 2
5 Problems - Medium Difficulty

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.

Set RL6 – Snell's Law 3
5 Problems - Medium Difficulty

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

Set RL7 – Snell's Law 4
5 Problems - Hard Difficulty

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.

Set RL8 – Snell's Law 5
6 Problems - Hard Difficulty

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

Set RL9 – Snell's Law 6
6 Problems - Very Hard Difficulty

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

Set RL10 – Critical Angle 1
7 Problems - Medium Difficulty

Determine the critical angle for a given substance when surrounded by air.

Set RL11 – Critical Angle 2
6 Problems - Medium Difficulty

Determine the critical angle for a given substance when surrounded by a material other than air. Includes 6 problems.

Set RL12 – Critical Angle 3
6 Problems - Hard Difficulty

Use Snell's Law and/or the critical angle equation to analyze more complex scenarios involving total internal reflection. Includes 6 problems.

Set RL13 – Lenses: Anatomy and Concepts
6 Problems - Medium Difficulty

Set RL14 – Converging Lenses 1
2 Problems - Medium Difficulty

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.

Set RL15 – Converging Lenses 2
5 Problems - Medium Difficulty

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.

Set RL16 – Converging Lenses 3
6 Problems - Hard Difficulty

Use the lens equation and magnification ratio to determine an unknown quantity in a Physics word problem involving a converging lens. Includes 6 problems.

Set RL17 – Converging Lenses 4
5 Problems - Hard Difficulty

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.

Set RL18 – Converging Lenses 5
6 Problems - Very Hard Difficulty

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.

Set RL19 – Diverging Lenses 1
6 Problems - Medium Difficulty

Use the lens equation and magnification ratio to solve a Physics word problem involving a diverging lens. Includes 6 problems.

Set RL20 – Lenses: Mixed Type
6 Problems - Hard Difficulty

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.

Summary Sets

These activities are combinations of the above Problem Sets, used primarily for Lesson Plans activities and Review

Refraction & Lenses 1: Snell's Law
8 Problems - Medium Difficulty

Use the Snell's Law equation to solve the following problems. Construct a diagram where needed.

Refraction & Lenses 1: Snell's Law (HP)
7 Problems - Medium Difficulty

Use the Snell's Law equation to solve the following problems. Construct a diagram where needed.

Refraction & Lenses 2: Critical Angle
5 Problems - Medium Difficulty

Use the critical angle equation to solve the following problems. Construct a diagram where needed.

Refraction & Lenses 2: Snell's Law (HP)
6 Problems - Hard Difficulty

Use the Snell's Law equation to solve the following problems. Construct a diagram where needed.

Refraction & Lenses 3: Lens Equation
4 Problems - Medium Difficulty