Scientist Outline and Equipment

LIGHT AND COLOR
Grade levels: can be adapted for grades 2-6.
Length of time: 30-45 minues.
Room preference: Double classroom or all-purpose room.

Equipment is located in the Lederman Science Center. Talk to Susan Dahl to borrow this set.
  1. Spectrum tube power supply, gas tubes and diffraction grating glasses
  2. Light box with red, green, and blue translucent film
  3. Power chord, extension chord
  4. Large set of lenses
  5. Small concave and convex lenses
  6. Magnetic optics kit, includes a small laser
  7. Slinky
  8. Flashlight
  9. Clear plastic tub, powdered milk
  10. Water
  11. Radiometer
  12. Electromagnetic energy spectrum poster
  13. Set of red, green and blue flood lights

  • Where does light come from?
    Use a boy and a girl to make a human demonstration of molecules and atoms. Have students rub their hands together and notice friction equals heat.

  • Electromagnetic energy spectrum
    Show the electromagnetic energy spectrum poster and discuss different waves students may know.

  • White light spectrum
    Use spectrum tube power supply and hydrogen and helium gas tubes. Give students diffraction grating glasses to observe differences.

  • How does light travel?
    Ask one or two students to assist in a demonstration of waves using a slinky.

  • Transparent, translucent, and opaque materials
    Discuss and demonstrate the differences of how much light will pass through various materials. Use the light box to show different qualities.

  • Physics and chemistry of the primary colors
    Show color wheels for primary pigment - electronics
    Discuss televisions and computer monitors with a water drop or magnifying glass to reveal primary colors.
    Show color wheel for artistic medium - crayons and paints
    Show combination of red, green and blue to make dddddd light.

  • Lasers

  • Bending of light
    Use concave and convex lenses and give students some hands on time with the lenses.
    May time permits may allow hands on time for students to use mirrors to bend light.

  • Light mill
    Use radiometer to show this.

  • Scattering of light
    Simulate sun going through the atmospher to create a sunset by using a clear plastic tub with water and a small amount of powdered milk. Shine the flashlight through to observe the change in observed color.

    Additional Topics

  • Diffraction
  • Interference
  • Virtual and real images
  • Snells law