MERLOT Materials

The Online Optics Tutorial “Staying in Focus” introduces students to some of the basic concepts of geometrical optics in... see more

A complete set of simulations for the second semester of a college level physics class.

These applets show the lensing effect of ripples on the surface of a liquid. Two illustrations are available, one for... see more

A group of simulations on the physical and geometric nature of light along with applications of electromagnetic... see more

A simulation of different pictures and patterns as viewed through different lenses. The index of refraction and... see more

The Science of Information Technology (ScIT) is a course taught at Rensselaer since 1999 which adresses the scientific... see more

This applet demonstrates the formation of real and virtual images of both Concave and Convex Mirrors and Lenses. The user... see more

This is a simulation of an ideal virtual lens. Users can change the focal length, object size, and measure distances.... see more

This simulation shows the basic principles behind a prism, and demonstrates Snell's Law. Users can see how a prism... see more

This java applet show you how to use the law of reflection (for optics) in playing pool.