Reviews various science activities investigating polarized light. (SL)

Methods and optics of perceiving color in a black-and-white grating are described. A sample grating which produces the effect is included. (JN)

A retroreflector is a mirror that removes distortion from a light beam. Describes experiments using the retroreflector as well as related phenomena. (JN)

Describes the necking of polymer sheets that occurs when they are stretched. Discusses the effect and the mechanisms of necking. Lists four references. (YP)

Three classic visual toys are discussed and instructions are given for their construction. These are moire patterns, kaleidoscope, and stereoscope. (MP)

Describes an experiment revealing a visual latency effect produced by the wearing of sunglasses. (SL)

Lists several ideas for experiments for the amateur scientist to try or design. The list covers a wide range of topics; sound, mechanics, thermodynamics, fluids, optics, and electrostatics. (GA)

Discusses how the sun's reflection from water offers a means for calculating sloped of waves. Experiments using angles of reflection from a tilted mirror are suggested and explained. A method of counterbalancing dominoes in a stack beyond the edge of a table (using Euler's constant) is also described. (DH)

Spatial filtering, based on diffraction/interference of light waves, is a technique by which unwanted information in a picture ("noise") can be separated from wanted information. A series of experiments is described in which students can create a system that functions as an optical computer to create clearer pictures. (Author/JN)