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Kevin Schwartz
Works Cited

Henderson, Tom. "Optical Density and Light Speed." Optical Density and Light Speed.
Physicsclassroom.com, n.d. Web. 07 June 2016.

Summary: The speed of light is c=(3xE8(ten to the eighth)). The index refraction value
indicates the number of times slower light travels in one medium compared to a
vacuum. Optical density is not the same as physical density.
Analysis: Physicsclassroom.com is a free to use physics website, each unit is divided into
lessons which cover what would be learned in a classroom, and sub-lessons which test
the student on their understanding of the subject. Many teachers have found the tutorial
sections to be invaluable resources. The author Tom Henderson has taught physics and
chemistry since 1989. You can contact him at Physicsclassroom@comcast.net.

"Refraction of Light." Science Learning Hub RSS. Sciencelearn.org, 26 Apr. 2012. Web. 07
June 2016.

Summary: This source talks about the correlation between the speed of light in a medium and
the angle of refraction as a beam enters the medium. It also touches on how this
phenomenon is used to create magnifying glasses, prisms and glasses.

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Analysis: Sciencelearning.org is a national project, funded by the government of New Zealand.
It provides information in many areas of science and has won several national and
international awards.

"Snell's Law, Reflection, and Refraction." Optics For Kids. Optics4kids.org, 2016. Web. 07
June 2016.

Summary: The source describes Snells Law which predicts how an incident ray will change
direction when passing from one medium to another.
Analysis: Optics4kids.org is in association with the OSA (The Optical Society); founded in
1916 the OSA is a leading professional association in optics and photonics.

"The Speed of Light and the Index of Refraction." The Speed of Light and the Index of
Refraction. Rpi.edu, n.d. Web. 07 June 2016.

Summary: Rpi.edu talks about how to calculate the speed of light (n=c/v) (n=index refraction
angle c=speed of light in a vacuum v=speed of light through tested medium). It also

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talks about the nature of light; nothing can travel faster than the speed of light in a
vacuum.
Analysis: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute was founded in 1824 and is the nations oldest
technological research university. It was founded with two root ideal, the application of
science to the common purpose of life, and the employment of unique educational
strategies.

"Using a Laser to Measure the Speed of Light in Gelatin." Science Buddies.

Sciencebuddies.org, n.d. Web. 07 June 2016.

Summary: sciencebuddies.org gives a step by step process for determining the refraction angle
and speed of light in a medium, while also explaining the principals involved.
Analysis: Founded by Kenneth Hess, Science Buddies is an award winning non-profit
organization with over 15,000 pages of scientist-developed subject matter. New content
is published weekly and often in collaboration with government labs and agencies such
as NOAA and NASA to ask an expert you can contact them at
Scibuddy@sciencebuddies.org.

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