Anda di halaman 1dari 25

Looking into the Light

By Courtney Fernandez

1
CONTENTS

Intended student learning outcomes … 3


Intro… 4
Reflection … 5
Wavelengths… 9
Light Energy… 12
Worksheet 1: Convex and Concave Lenses… 14
Worksheet 2: Behaviour of Atoms under Light Energy… 15
Glossary… 16
Experiment 1: Foil Mirror… 17
Experiment 2: Sunrise and Sunset… 18
Experiment 3: The Colours of Light… 19
Explanation of Discussion Questions
Experiments… 20
Worksheets… 23
Some other recommended websites… 25

2
Intended student learning outcomes
This resource guide is aimed at Level 4 students It fulfils the VELS standards as
indicated in http://vels.vcaa.vic.edu.au/vels/science.html. It revisits
information from level 2 and 3 sciences, about light and reflections.
At the conclusion of this course, students should be able to:
 Understand the ways in which the reflection of light is affected by even
and uneven surfaces. (Experiment 1: Foil Mirror)
 See the connection between wavelengths and the colour of light.
(Experiment 2: Sunrise and Sunset)
 Recognise the different colours which result from the combination of
red, blue and green light. (Experiment 3: The Colours of Light)
 Understand how differently shaped reflective or transparent surfaces
manipulate the direction of light. (Worksheet 1: Convex and Concave
Lenses)
 Know how atoms behave under the influence of light energy.
(Worksheet 2: Behaviour of Atoms under Light Energy)

 Conceptualise how light travels in the form of wavelengths.


 Notice the relation between wavelength and energy of light and how
invisible light works.

3
There are many different forms of light that we see or
use in our everyday life. This might be a light bulb, a rainbow,
the sun or forms of lights that the human eye can’t see, like
ultraviolet or infrared light.

This resource guide explores the traits and amazing qualities


of light and how it works.

4
No matter what type of light we encounter, there are
particular traits which are common to all light rays. One of
these traits is the way that light moves. Just like a tennis ball
being thrown at a wall, light bounces off its obstructions. This
is called reflection. However, light always travels in straight
lines. Its path does not curve or fall with gravity like a ball
would.

Incident light occurs when light travels from its source (e.g. a
light bulb or the sun) directly onto a surface (e.g. the ground
or an object). In order for reflection to occur, there has to
first be incident light.

5
To explore the ways in which light rays travel, you could use a
bright torch or even a laser light to investigate how these
lights behave when they are shined onto smooth and shiny
surfaces. Some materials which may be interesting to
experiment with are mirrors, windows and steam.
Hint: A dark room could make your observations clearer!
Here is a fascinating way in which reflection is used in our
everyday technology.

Can you think of any others?

6
It is not uncommon that people are long or short sighted.
This occurs because the eye does not reflect and process light
the way that it should. So how do glasses and contact lenses
correct impaired vision?

The curved shape of these lenses manipulates the path of the


light rays so that the eye can focus on an image.
Where else may you have seen some odd manipulation of
light?

7
So what is it that makes the light’s direction change when it
travels through the lens? This is because when light passes
through transparent substances of different densities, for
example, glass, water or air, the speed of the light changes
and therefore the direction is also affected. This action is
called Refraction.

An example of this is when you observe a spoon or a solid


object sitting in a glass of water. As the light shines into the
glass what do you see?

8
So how do so many different types of light occur? What is it
that allows light rays to shine bright or dim or coloured or
invisible? It is because of their different wavelengths.
Wavelengths are the way in which light travels, but they also
have other traits which influence how light is presented.

Here you can see that the smaller and more frequent waves
over a period of time show colours on the purple end of the
spectrum, whereas the red end of the spectrum has larger
waves over the time period. Each of these colours has a
distinct wavelength. Light rays which give a particular colour
of light are called monochromatic light. This occurs when the
rays of light have wavelengths between a discrete, particular
range. For example, the rays from a green laser light would
be monochromatic with very little variance in the
wavelengths.

9
The amplitude of a wavelength determines how bright a light
is, and the frequency determines the colour and visibility of
light.

The picture above is of a prism. When a white light is at


shined at a particular angle, the prism reveals the
components of light which make up the white light. So what
does this picture show us? Well, white light is actually made
up of these seven colours. They appear in this order because
the frequencies of the wavelengths gradually increase,
starting from the red end of the spectrum to the violet light.
The same thing occurs when a rainbow appears. Puddles,
bubbles and CDs are also able to separate white light into its
components.

10
There are some forms of light with a frequency so high that
they cannot be seen by the human eye. Some of these are
infrared light which in used in remotes to transmit
information, x rays which has enough energy to travel
through human flesh and gamma rays which are common in
nuclear radioactive environments, capable of mutating and
damaging human tissue and cells.

Ultraviolet rays are a form of light which the sun emits onto
the Earth. Its frequency is higher than that of the violet light
at the end of the spectrum, below 400 nanometres. These
rays are capable of causing reactions within our skin,
resulting in burns and damage, but luckily for us, most of the
sun’s UV rays are blocked by the Earth’s atmosphere.
However, we must still protect ourselves from the UV light
which does reach our skin. To prevent sun burn or more
crucially, skin cancer, we must use sun screen and
appropriate clothing.

11
So how is light able to cause reactions in our skin and other
substances? Well, all substances are made up of atoms.
These atoms carry energy in their electrons. Think of an
electron as a tiny planet which circles the sun (protons and
neutrons) on its particular orbit. When an atom gains
excessive energy, its outermost electrons or photons can
jump to an orbit which is further away from core of the atom.
This energetic photon changes the behaviour of the atom so
that it moves much more vigorously, and creates more
pressure in its environment as it tries to avoid its
neighbouring atoms.

For example, when a balloon filled with molecules of air is


exposed to light energy, it will expand. This is a result of the
light energy being absorbed by the atoms, causing more
movement and therefore more pressure on the walls of the
balloon. Accordingly, when light energy is removed the
atoms will lose their energy and movement will decrease, the
balloon will consequently shrink.

12
To explain what exactly how the atoms behave, we are going
to suggest that an atom is similar to a 4 year old child. When
you give a 4 year old some red cordial or ‘light energy’, the
child will get excited. He will run around like crazy, bumping
into its surroundings and causing havoc. Eventually the child
will run out of sugar, or energy, and he will return to his
natural state. As this occurs, he will release energy in the
form of movement, heat and sweat.

When in excited state, atoms are more likely to react with


other atoms to create new molecules or new substances.
This is because the movement that light energy causes in an
atom results in collisions with other atoms. The new
structure of the atom its excited photons means that other
atoms may be attracted differently to it. This means that
other atoms or may be more likely to react with this excited
atom, and therefore creating a new molecule.

13
Convex and Concave Lenses
Considering the size of the flower when looking through a straight lens:

Draw a line to connect the


lenses to the correct image

14 EXTENSION QUESTION: What would be


the similarities or differences between the
images portrayed by a lens and a mirror?
Behaviour of Atoms under Light Energy

1) Which balloon is most likely to be under light energy? :

2) Which atom is most likely to be in its excited state? :

3) Which group of atoms is most likely to be a gas under


light energy? :

15
Glossary
Amplitude: The measure of the height of Molecules: A group of bonded atoms.
a wavelength.
Monochromatic light: Wavelengths of
Atoms: Matter which make up all one general range of frequency, which a
materials. These are made up of protons, particular coloured light.
neutrons and electrons.
Photons: The outer electrons of an atom.
Concave: A curved surface in which the These are the electrons which are able to
centre is furthest away from the eye. This move to outer shells when an atom gains
manipulates the reflection of light. energy.

Convex: A curved surface in which the Pressure: The amount of force on a


centre is closest to the eye. This surface.
manipulates the reflection of light.
Prism: A clear triangular 3D tools which
Converging: This is the behaviour of light can split a white light into its seven visible
rays which travel towards one point of wavelengths.
focus.
Reflection: When incident light continues
Diverging: This is the behaviour of light to move off a surface.
rays which travel away from one point of
Refraction: When light moves from one
focus.
medium (air) to another medium (water),
Electrons: The negatively charged its speed changes and therefore changes
particles which orbit the positive centre of the direction of the light.
an atom.
Spectrum: The different wavelengths of
Frequency: A unit of measurement for light.
wavelengths.
Ultraviolet rays: An invisible light which
Gamma rays: A dangerous, reactive light can burn and damage human skin. It has a
ray which is generated by nuclear shorter wavelength, not much shorter
explosions. It is invisible light with an than that of violet light.
extremely small wavelength and massive
Wavelengths: The way in which light
amounts of energy. Gamma rays are
travels.
known to kill living cells.
X-ray: This light allows us to see through
Incident light: The light which travels from
human flesh. Its wavelengths are short,
its source directly onto a surface.
but have large amounts of energy. Its
Infrared light: An invisible light which wavelength is between that of Ultraviolet
produces heat. It has a larger wavelength, light and Gamma rays.
not much larger than that of red light.

16
Experiment 1: Foil Mirror

(from Singleton, G., 2004, 101 Cool Science Experiments, Dingley, Victoria)

Aim:

To observe how light is reflected on different surfaces.

Materials:

Aluminium foil

Scissors

Method:

1. With the scissors, cut a ruler length (30cm) sheet of aluminium foil. Make sure it is smooth!

2. Look at your reflection and use some describing words to note down your observations in
the table below.

3. Without breaking it, or crushing it too tightly, scrunch the foil into a ball.

4. Now, carefully flatten the ball out again.

5. Look at your reflection again and use some describing words to note down your
observations.

Observations:

Smooth Foil Scrunched Foil

Discussion:

 Explain the behaviour of light when it is reflected on a smooth surface.

 Why can’t you see your reflection on an uneven surface?

 List three reflective objects and three non-reflected surfaces.

17
Experiment 2: Sunrise and Sunset

(from Singleton, G., 2004, 101 Cool Science Experiments, Dingley, Victoria)

Aim:

To understand why the sky changes colour during sunrise and sunset.

Materials:

1 Clear drinking glass or glass jar 1 Stirrer (e.g. paddle pop stick or
teaspoon)
½ cup of Water
1 Torch
½ cup of Full cream milk
A dark room

Method:

1. Fill the drinking glass or glass jar with the ½ cup of water.

2. With the torch shining through the glass from above, note down what colour you see (in the
Observations section).

3. Pour the ½ cup of milk into the glass, and mix it with the teaspoon.

4. In a dark room, shine the torch into the side of the glass. Note down yours observations.

Observations:

Water under the torch light:

__________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________

Milk under the torch light:

__________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________

Discussion:

 Explain how light waves behave during a sunset or sunrise.


 Why is the sky blue during the day and dark during the night?
 Estimate the frequency of the light from the torch in the milky water.

18
Experiment 3: The Colours of Light

(from Robinson, T., 2008, The Everything Kids' Science Experiments Book : Boil Ice, Float Water,
Measure Gravity-Challenge the World Around You!, e-book, accessed 08 May 2011,
<http://vu.eblib.com.au.wallaby.vu.edu.au:2048/patron/FullRecord.aspx?p=422291>.)

Aim:

To observe how different colours combine to make white light.

Materials:

3 Torches 3 Rubber bands (big enough to fit


around torch)
1 Red, 1 blue and 1 green sheet of
cellophane (big enough to cover the A dark room with a white screen or
light of a torch) wall

Method:

1. Secure a sheet of cellophane to each separate torch with a rubber band, so that you have a
torch shining red light, a torch shining blue light and a torch shining green light.
2. Shining these coloured lights on a white screen or wall in a dark room, observe and record
the colour you see when you overlap the red and blue lights.
3. Observe and record the colour you see when you overlap the green and blue lights.
4. Observe and record the colour you see when you overlap the green and red lights.
5. Now shine all three coloured lights so that they all overlap. Observe and record the colour
you see.

Observations:

Red light + Blue light = _______________

Red light + Green light =_______________

Green light + Blue light =_______________

Red light + Blue light + Green light =_______________

Discussion:

 What are the primary colours or light?


 What are the secondary colours of light?
 List 3 examples of coloured light combinations that you have seen or experienced.

19
Explanation of Discussion Questions
Experiment 1: Foil Mirror

 Explain the behaviour of light when it is reflected on a smooth surface.

a. When light reflects of a smooth surface, its light rays are able to reflect in the
same direction, or angle. This means that when you look in a mirror, the
reflection of the image will appear the same since the whole image is
reflected in the same general direction.

 Why can’t you see your reflection on an uneven surface?

a. An uneven surface causes light rays to reflect in different directions so the


reflection of the image is scattered and indistinguishable.

 List three reflective objects and three non-reflected surfaces.

a. Reflective: window, spoon, metal, transparent liquids (water), shiny surfaces.

b. Non-reflective: cloth material, table, skin, non-transparent liquids (milk).

 Recommended reading:

a. http://www.z-oc.com/blog/2007/08/some-physics-background-related-to-
photography/#more-122
b. http://zonalandeducation.com/mstm/physics/light/rayOptics/reflection/reflecti
on1.html

c. http://science.howstuffworks.com/light2.htm

20
Experiment 2: Sunrise and Sunset

 Explain how light waves behave during a sunset or sunrise.


a. There are many particles in the sky, including water, debris, and gases. As
white light rays collide with these, they can behave in two different ways. If a
collision occurs with a larger molecule, such as a water droplet, the white
light will reflect off the water and will remain seen as white light. However,
smaller molecules, like dust or gases, tend to absorb some of the light. This
means that if a molecule absorbs the orange and red rays of a white light ray,
then the reflected light will also be seen as orange and red. Because the sun
is angled closer to the earth’s surface during sunrise and sunset, the light
makes more contact with dust and gas particles, resulting in a sky filled with
colours from the red end of the light spectrum.
 Why is the sky blue during the day and dark during the night?
a. During the day, the sun is high in the sky. This angle allows light to reach the
earth without must contact with dust. However, the gaseous atmosphere
does absorb and reflect shorter wavelengths resulting in a sky of blue, green
or colours of this area in the spectrum.
 Estimate the frequency of the light from the torch in the milky water.
a. Wavelengths should be relative in size as shown below

 Recommended reading:

a. http://www.ehow.com/about_5091308_sun-change-colors-sunset.html
b. http://www2.chemistry.msu.edu/faculty/reusch/VirtTxtJml/Spectrpy/UV-
Vis/spectrum.htm

21
Experiment 3: The Colours of Light

 What are the primary colours or light?


o Red, blue and green
 What are the secondary colours of light?
o Yellow, magenta and cyan (light blue)
 List 3 examples of coloured light combinations that you have seen or experienced.
o Rainbow, bubbles, CDs, puddles, soapy water, oils.

 Recommended reading:

o http://www.z-oc.com/blog/2007/08/some-physics-background-related-to-
photography/#more-122

22
Behaviour of Atoms under Light Energy - EXPLANATION

1) Which balloon is most likely to be under light energy? :

B – When under light energy, the atoms in the balloon absorb energy. This causes the atoms
move more vigorously and fight its surroundings for more space, causing an increase in
pressure. The balloon expands due to the increased pressure .

2) Which atom is most likely to be in its excited state? :

B – When an atom is in its excited state, its outer electron leaves its natural position and
moves to an outer shell. after it has used up its extra energy, it will return to its natural
position again.

3) Which group of atoms is most likely to be a gas under light energy? :

A – Gaseous atoms under light energy like to spread out in the entire area of their container.
They move erractically, resulting in collisions and allowing for atoms to bond with other
atoms or molecules

23
Convex and Concave Lenses - EXPLANATION

Considering that this is the size of the flower when looking through a straight lens:

Draw a line to connect the lenses to the correct image:

24
Concave and Conves Lenses – EXPLANATION

 What would be the similarities or differences between the images portrayed by a


lens and a mirror?

- Mirrors have an opposite effect to a lens when manipulating light which a


curved surface. A convex lens will converge light while a convex mirror will
diverge light. A concave lens will diverge light while a concave mirror will
converge light.

See website:

http://van.physics.illinois.edu/qa/listing.php?id=1946 for more information

Some other recommended websites:

 http://science.hq.nasa.gov/kids/imagers/ems/index.html
 http://www.historyforkids.org/scienceforkids/physics/light/

25

Anda mungkin juga menyukai