What's New

Updated for compatibility.

App Description

The Refraction of Light lab uses a refraction cell and a ray box to investigate Snell’s Law of Refraction, total internal reflection, and the critical angle of refraction.It is part of Polyhedron Physics Plus, a set of 24 iPad apps for use in the classroom. To see how they work, try the FREE PP+ Newton’s 2nd Law lab. For those who’d prefer to develop their own experiments, the PP Raybox & Refraction Cell app features a similar apparatus without lab procedures and other supporting materials.

In addition to a 3D simulation that produces realistic data, each lab includes introductory videos, background theory, experimental procedure, analysis and reporting tools, pre-lab quiz, post-lab questions, and teacher support materials. The experimental data produced by the simulations are realistic, including random and systematic errors. These features allow students to use standard data analysis and error analysis techniques to report on their own unique data, just as if the experiment had been performed using hands-on equipment.

These labs can serve as replacements for hands-on labs, especially when equipment is not available, or as supplements to hands-on labs. They are also a suitable option for students in distance learning and home school situations. Formative and summative evaluations showed no significant difference in learning between students using the virtual labs and those using hands-on labs. Preliminary results suggest increased learning by students using the virtual labs as supplements to hands-on.

Polyhedron Physics was developed by Polyhedron Learning Media, Inc. with partial funding provided under contract numbers ED-07-CO-0040 and ED-IES-11-C-0029 from the Institute of Education Sciences in the U.S. Department of Education through the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program.

iPad Screenshots

(click to enlarge)

PP+ Refraction of Light screenshot 1 PP+ Refraction of Light screenshot 2 PP+ Refraction of Light screenshot 3 PP+ Refraction of Light screenshot 4 PP+ Refraction of Light screenshot 5

App Changes

  • February 15, 2013 Initial release
  • April 28, 2013 New version 1.1
  • November 07, 2016 New version 1.2
  • December 30, 2019 New version 1.3
  • July 14, 2020 New version 1.4.1
  • September 16, 2023 New version 1.5