Can light do anything else besides scatter/reflect or transmit? Sixth graders looked for evidence as they helped design an experiment involving light and two types of water (clear and dyed). Using the light meter, students measured the amount of light that reflected and transmitted. What did they discover?
That even though the light emitted from the light bulb was the same going towards each water source (we controlled the distance from the light bulb and centered the beakers under the light), the amount of light transmitted through each beaker was different...vastly different!
So what does that mean? Light must do something else. Our conclusion--light can also be absorbed. And when it's absorbed, it can also make something happen, like increase the temperature. In both the clear and dyed water, students noticed an increase in temperature.
As a result of this experiment, our consensus model has been revised yet again...this time to include how light can reflect/scatter, transmit, or absorb. Great work 6th grade!
That even though the light emitted from the light bulb was the same going towards each water source (we controlled the distance from the light bulb and centered the beakers under the light), the amount of light transmitted through each beaker was different...vastly different!
So what does that mean? Light must do something else. Our conclusion--light can also be absorbed. And when it's absorbed, it can also make something happen, like increase the temperature. In both the clear and dyed water, students noticed an increase in temperature.
As a result of this experiment, our consensus model has been revised yet again...this time to include how light can reflect/scatter, transmit, or absorb. Great work 6th grade!