The
Task
Your job is to become enlightened about light! What is the science of light called? How is light controlled? Why do we need to control light? How do we use light everyday? What natural lighting conditions occur? What are the attributes of light?
1. Why is the sky blue?
Answer the question by using
http://ww2010.atmos.uiuc.edu/(Gh)/guides/mtr/opt/air/blue.rxml
Or use
http://math.ucr.edu/home/baez/physics/General/BlueSky/blue_sky.html
2. What is the difference between a halo and a sundog?
Use http://ww2010.atmos.uiuc.edu/(Gh)/guides/mtr/opt/ice/halo/22.rxml
and
http://ww2010.atmos.uiuc.edu/(Gh)/guides/mtr/opt/ice/sd.rxml
to find
this answer.
3. Why do clouds have silver linings?
Use http://ww2010.atmos.uiuc.edu/(Gh)/guides/mtr/opt/wtr/ir.rxml
to find the answer.
4. What causes a mirage?
Go to http://go.grolier.com/
and type "mirage" in the search box. At the next screen
click on one of the documents listed.
To learn and see more about refraction
look at this site.
http://wigner.byu.edu/LightRefract/LightRefract.html
5. Which is more important--hue, saturation, or brightness?
Use http://www.thetech.org/exhibits_events/online/color/hsb
for the answer.
Use Optics
for Kids to find out:
6. How fast does light travel?
7. How long does it take light to get to us from the sun?
8. How long (at 60 mph) would it take for you to drive
to the sun?
9. Name three ways to control light.
10. Name some devices that control light.
11. What are the 2 basic single lens types?
12. Why can't a prism break up a laser's light?
13. What is the science of light called?
14. How is a raindrop like a prism?
http://www.howstuffworks.com/question41.htm
15. How are lasers used today?
Use http://www.thetech.org/exhibits_events/online/lasers/Common/index.html
to answer.
16. What causes a light bulb to glow?
http://www.thetech.org/exhibits/online/topics/11c_flash.html
17. Reflection and Refraction
Experiment at this website: http://www.phy.ntnu.edu.tw/java/light/flashLight.html
18. Light - Key Terms: http://www.howe.k12.ok.us/~jimaskew/plight.htm
19. Learn more about frequency and light waves at:
http://amazing-space.stsci.edu/resources/explorations/light/CatchWaves-end-frames.html
20. A light quiz. http://www.what-is-the-speed-of-light.com/k12-grade-5-light-quiz.html
Use http://kaleidoscopeheaven.org/info.html to find directions on how to make a kaleidoscope. Make one and bring it in to class!
Use http://www.yahoo.com/Arts/Visual_Arts/Photography/Pinhole_Photography/ to make a pinhole camera. Make one, take some pictures, and bring them in to class.
Use http://www.sci.mus.mn.us/sln/tf/o/opaque/opaque.html to make sunprints. Bring them in to class.
Use http://www.uselessknowledge.com/knowledge/imponderables/lifesaver.html to find out why wintergreen Life Savers spark in the dark. Bring enough in for all of us to try it.
Use http://www.sandlotscience.com/ to make a poster showing different optical illusions.
Use http://www.CandlelightStories.com/
to choose a story to bring in to read to the class with the lights turned
down low. List as many song titles with the words, "light,dark, day,
night, or any
color" in them.
Using http://karaokeclub.com/song.contents.html might help you.Turn this list in. Extra credit: Sing one of the songs to the class. If you're also "light" on your feet, you can dance while you sing!
Go to http://pointer.wphs.wpps.k12.va.us/cohoke.htm
to see about a Virginia fifth grade's experience with light.
Fairfax County Public Schools' Science Curriculum Page may be found
at:
FCPS
Science Curriculum Resource Guide
Conclusion
I hope this endeavor has been enlightening for you. Just think, if
it weren't for light, we'd be in the dark all the time. I hope you now
know the difference between reflection and refraction, that it would take
a very long time to drive to the sun, and that you can have a lot of fun
making light of situations.