Let’s Investigate Light
How can you investigate light?
Goal:
Goal:
Let’s explore how light travels through materials. Here is what you will need:
- Flashlight
-
3 types of cups any colors
Now, click through the slides below to do an investigation about light.
Predict: Let’s start with the first
cup. Make a prediction. What do you think will happen
to the light when you shine the flashlight on the side
of the cup? Do you think this cup is transparent,
translucent, or opaque?
Test: Turn off the lights and see
what happens when you shine the flashlight on the cup.
Results: All the light from the flashlight goes through the cup. This clear cup is transparent. That means all the light can pass through.
Predict: Let’s try the next cup. Make
a prediction. What do you think will happen to the
light when you shine the flashlight on the side of the
cup?
Test: Turn off the lights and see
what happens when you shine the flashlight on the cup.
Results: Only some of the light from the flashlight goes through the cup. This cup is translucent. That means some of the light can pass through.
Predict: Let’s try the last cup. Make
a prediction. What do you think will happen to the
light when you shine the flashlight on the side of the
cup?
Test: Turn off the lights and see
what happens when you shine the flashlight on the cup.
Results: None of the light from the flashlight goes through the cup. This cup is opaque. That means none of the light can pass through.
Extend: What other materials are transparent, translucent, and opaque? Try this experiment with materials you can find around your classroom or home. Shine the flashlight on the material. What happens to the light?
Question
What are the two types of materials that light can travel through?
The two types of materials are transparent and translucent.