Teaching Guide: Optics and Anthony Johnson
Students will learn about optical physicist and Bell Laboratories alumni Anthony Johnson, while also exploring the phenomenon of total internal reflection.
Portrait of Anthony M. Johnson AIP Emilio Segre Visual Archives, Physics Today Collection
This lesson will introduce students to Anthony Johnson, a lauded optical physicist who was a beneficiary of the Bell Labs Cooperative Research Fellowship Program. The Program helped him earn his Ph.D., and he worked at Bell Labs before expanding his career elsewhere. After being introduced to his story, students will explore the phenomenon of total internal reflection, an important aspect of fiber optics (which Johnson has studied). This guide works best if it follows the AIP Teacher’s Guide: The Legacy of African American Scientists at Bell Laboratories, which examines the history of African American scientists at Bell Labs in more detail.
Grade level(s): 9-12
Guide subjects: Contemporary, History, Physics
Minority Group(s): African-American
In-class time: 30-50 minutes
Prep time: 15-20 minutes
Technology Requirements: Student web access not required, Audio/Video not required
Common Core Standards: History/Social Studies, Science & Technical Subjects
Next Generation Science Standards: Physical sciences, Waves and Their Application in Technologies for Information Transfer