LIGHT UNIT
Details about the unit in general will be coming soon. until then, explore the subunit information that is largely in place.
History of Light subunit
We started out less on the topic of science as on more cross-curricular post hole that included practical knowledge about light and some historical elements. In our history of light subunit we researched and got hands-on at how light has lit man's way over time. Practical skills such as how to light a kerosene lamp through Biblical analogies and references to light were explored. It made a fun start to the unit.
The Physics and Biology of Light
The Physics of Light subunit let us explore the properties and mathematics side of light. Light has an interesting duality. It behaves like a particle and a wave. This has puzzled physicist for a while now. One of our favorite resources to explore the duality is the Dr. Quantum video. You can watch it below. Prepare to be amazed!
Light - Color and the Electromagnetic Spectrum
Being able to see color is such a blessing. Can you imaging what we would miss out on if our eyes couldn't process color? We have an emotional reaction to color that has been researched for decades. Blues and greens tend to be soothing and relaxing while yellows make us feel cheerful. Reds are exciting and sometimes even a little aggressive.
Color happens because the varying wavelengths of the light are perceived by our eyes as different colors. The electromagnetic spectrum has much more than just visible light. Visible light is a fraction of the total spectrum, but our eyes can only see the visible spectrum. The full spectrum includes radio waves, x-rays, microwaves, and more.
There are lots of fun things you can explore using black light. Try tonic water instead of regular water in Jello and then turn out the regular lights and just use the black lights. Glowing food! Highlighter markers will glow intensely as well. The modern clothes detergents have chemicals that glow and you really notice it when you have white clothes on under black light. Need to know how clean your bathroom is? Many body fluids glow under black light including, you guessed it, urea.
Color happens because the varying wavelengths of the light are perceived by our eyes as different colors. The electromagnetic spectrum has much more than just visible light. Visible light is a fraction of the total spectrum, but our eyes can only see the visible spectrum. The full spectrum includes radio waves, x-rays, microwaves, and more.
There are lots of fun things you can explore using black light. Try tonic water instead of regular water in Jello and then turn out the regular lights and just use the black lights. Glowing food! Highlighter markers will glow intensely as well. The modern clothes detergents have chemicals that glow and you really notice it when you have white clothes on under black light. Need to know how clean your bathroom is? Many body fluids glow under black light including, you guessed it, urea.
Light Energy - Heat Subunit
The kids did several labs related to the heat produced from light. They explored the behavior of a radiometer and researched the explanation as to why the vanes will spin in the vacuum when light strikes the vanes. They also filled up a black garbage bag full of cold AC air and then sealed it and explored the rate and change of the volume of the air as it warmed up in the sun outdoors. Zachary had a night light that would spin from the heat of a small bulb, so he explored how heat moved air which in turn could produce movement.