UV BEAD EXPERIMENT
Names
The UV Beads contain different pigments that change color when exposed to ultraviolet light
from any source - including the sun. The beads are all white in visible light. In UV light, depending on
the pigment added to each bead, you will see different colors. Each bead will change color about
50,000 times before the pigment will no longer respond to UV light.
The term "light" is often used as a generic word to describe many different forms of light such as
incandescent light, fluorescent light, or sunlight, for instance. However, not all light is made up of the
same energy. Using Energy Beads, you will be able to uncover an invisible form of light energy called
ultraviolet light. None of the energy in the ultraviolet region of the light spectrum is visible to the
naked eye. Just as there are many different colors of wavelengths in the visible spectrum (red, yellow,
green, blue...), so are there many wavelengths of ultraviolet light.
First, there is long wave ultraviolet light (300 to 400 nanometers), which most of us recognize as
"black light" the light that is often used to make decorations glow in discos and theatrical productions.
Long wave UV passes easily through plastic and glass.
Short wave ultraviolet light (100 to 300 nm) is used to kill bacteria, hasten chemical reactions (as
a catalyst), and is also valuable in the identification of certain fluorescent minerals. Unlike long wave
UV, the short wave UV cannot pass through ordinary glass nor most plastics. The shortest
wavelengths cannot even travel very far through the air before being absorbed by oxygen molecules as
they are converted into ozone.
UV Beads are the perfect tool for understanding how solar radiation can be harmful and to
recognize preventative measures that can be taken to reduce the risks associated with exposure to
sunlight. When you expose bare skin to sunlight, your skin will either burn or tan (which doctors warn
is still not healthy for your body). UV radiation wavelengths are short enough to break chemical bonds
in your skin tissue and with over prolonged exposure, your skin may wrinkle or skin cancer may
appear. These responses by your skin are a signal that the cells under your skin are being assaulted by
UV radiation.
The beads will always change color regardless of how good the UV rays are blocked from
UV - the beads are very sensitive! The key is to rate the color of the beads on a scale of 0-5, with 5
showing the most color or "burning" to 1 showing the least color and 0 showing no color change at all.
Lab Schedule
Day 1
 Introduction
 Decide with group possible
experiments
 Lab approval and finalize plan
Day 2
 Experimentation and data collection
Day 3
 Conclusion and Reflection
UV Beads Experiment
***No personal words (I, we, you…)
Title
/30 pts
(1pt)
What is the name of your lab?
Problem?
State the problem as a question. Be specific about what you are testing!
Make sure you end with a question mark.
(2pts)
Hypothesis
(2pts)
Materials
(3pts)
Variables
(4pts)
Procedure
(3pts)
Data
(4pts)
Graph
(4pts)
Conclusion
(4 pts)
Reflection
(3pts)
What is the answer to the problem/ question?
Start with “If (restate the problem), then (prediction)....”
What “stuff” are you using?
List materials and equipment used in the lab. Be sure to say what kind and how
many.
What is your independent variable?
What is your dependent variable?
Name at least 2 variables you are controlling (controls).
What are you doing?
List the steps you will follow to do the experiment.
Be clear and specific.
Number your steps.
Make sure you use a reference (control group) in your experiment.
Data Table including:
Bead scale numbers
Observations: What variables might have affected your experiment?
Graph including:
Descriptive title/ axis labels
Clear visual of data
Based on your observations, what is the answer to the problem stated above?
Why do you think things happened the way they did? Try to explain your
results; do not merely restate your observations.
Was your hypothesis correct? Why or why not?
What future experiments might you do to better answer
your question? How do these results affect everyday life (Be specific about
What your results can tell people)?
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All parts must be in complete sentences except for Data, Materials list, and Procedure!
Name(s):
Dates:
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Materials:
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Experiment:
Independent Variable (what you are physically changing):
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Dependent Variable (what changes because of the physical change):
Procedure:
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Observations (What do you see happening?):
Data Table: Insert a table to organize your data
Graph: Create a bar graph for your data and insert it into this document
Conclusion (see rubric for what to write):
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