Simple demonstration experiments to promote deeper learning and eliminate students’ misconception about light transmission phenomenon

Abstract Experiments that illustrate physics principles or phenomena through real-world examples not only foster scientific thinking skills but are also effective to understand the underlying science and pique students’ interest. In this paper, we report very simple and novel demonstration experiments to understand the difference between direct (or specular) and diffuse transmission of light using plain and chemically etched glass slides. The present demonstration experiments effectively elucidate an important optical property known as transmission haze, which occurs as a result of light scattering. Furthermore, these demonstrations are particularly useful in recognizing and correcting students’ misconception that light absorption causes the object to appear fuzzy and blurry (translucency) when viewed through textured or frosted glass. These low-cost demonstrations teach students about the technological significance of high- and low-haze transmission as well.