Part 5: Discover How Light Moves
(modified from www.msnucleus.org)
Introduction:
You have studied and experimented with
the 3 properties of light. In this science inquiry,
you will play with light and different objects to
discover if the object reflects, refracts, or absorbs
light.
Notes:
What is reflection?
Experimental Design:
Independent Variable -
Dependent Variable -
Which variables will you need to keep constant?
Protocol/Procedure:
What is refraction?
What is absorption?
Research Question:
Which object is best at showing
reflection? refraction? absorption?
Hypothesis:
__________ will reflect light the best.
__________ will refract light the best.
__________ will absorb the most light.
NixonHillary
Monday, April 29, 2013 2:19:09 PM ET
What is your control group?
Write your protocol below:
Your Data:
Object
Reflects
Refracts
Absorbs
Extensions:
-Measure the angle in which the light is refracted
from an object.
Object:!
!
!
Angle:
-Find several other objects which you can test the
properties of light and list those below in your
own table.
Data Analysis:
1. What does the data tell us?
2. Did the data support your hypothesis?
3. List other materials that would:
reflect:! !
refract:!
!
absorb:
NixonHillary
Monday, April 29, 2013 2:19:09 PM ET
-How is this information useful in your everyday
life?
Part 3: The Path of Light
(modified from www.sciencecompanion.com)
Introduction:
You have discovered how light travels in a
previous experiment. Now you will use various
materials and liquids to see if that information
changes depending on the variables used.
Notes:
Does light from different sources always look the
same?
How does the light from different sources look
different?
Research Question:
What direction will light travel from its source?
Hypothesis:
Light will travel ____________when shone
through the side of a cup (horizontally).
Light will travel ____________when shone at a
different angle through the cup.
NixonHillary
Monday, April 29, 2013 2:19:09 PM ET
Experimental Design:
Independent Variable Dependent Variable Which variables will you need to keep constant?
Protocol/Procedure:
1. With the classroom lights off and blinds closed,
carefully hold the cup of cloudy water at eye
level and look in through the side of the cup.
The partner shines the flashlight through the
side of the cup horizontally, holding it
perpendicular to the cup.
2. On the next page, draw or describe how the
light looked as it shone through the side of the
cup.
3. Trade jobs and repeat steps 1 and 2.
4. Take turns tilting the flashlight so that it shines
at a different angle into the cup and observe
the light.
5. On the next page, draw or describe how the
light looked as it shone through the side of the
cup at an angle
Draw or describe how the light looked as it shone
through the side of the cup.
Modeling a Beam of Light:
1. Hold the flashlight onto the side of the cup
again, then hold the 5 straws next to the cup
so that the straws point in the same direction
as the path of light through the solution in the
cup.
2. Observe and discuss what you see. Describe it
in one sentence.
Describe or draw what happened to the light
when you tilted the flashlight at a different angle?
3. Hold the flashlight onto the side of the cup, this
time at an angle, while holding the 5 straws
next to the cup so that the straws point in the
same direction as the path of light through the
solution in the cup.
4. Observe and discuss what you see. Describe
it in one sentence.
Conclusion:
What does this experiment tell you about the path
of light?
______________________________________
NixonHillary
Monday, April 29, 2013 2:19:09 PM ET
NixonHillary
Monday, April 29, 2013 2:19:09 PM ET