Introduction
Have you ever stuck an object in front of lights?
What did you see?
Did the object change the path of the light?
Watch as I turn on this flashlight. When I turn it on, a beam of light comes out.
Now I'm going to take a piece of paper and put it in from of the path of the beam of the light.
What does the paper do to the light's path?
Today, we are going to investigate to determine the effect of an object made of different materials on the path of a beam of light.
We are going to complete a graphic organizer on what causes and effects we see on the light path.
Complete one for each material investigation. Link to Graphic organizer: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1sqRx5lsMSyYzU2YnvVjZ8QUCHx5DeLFX/view?usp=sharing
Task
I'm going to set up a center for you to investigate different materials to put in front of the light path with a partner.
As you complete the investigation, you will complete the graphic organizer.
You will find definitions and facts about light. You will also complete a chart of causes and effects.
After completing your investigation, you will share what you found with the class. You will also share the information you learned from this investigation.
Process
What is light?
Light is a form of energy made of photons. A photon is a particle representing a quantum of light. Light is unique in that it behaves like both a particle and a wave.
Light is made when the matter is heated up or gains energy. Excess energy is released as light. This is electromagnetic radiation.
Why does light go through some things and not others?
Depending on the type of matter it comes into contact with, light will behave differently. Sometimes light will pass directly through the matter, like with air or water. This type of matter is called transparent. Other objects completely reflect light, like an animal or a book. These objects are called opaque. A third type of object does some of both and tends to scatter the light. These objects are called translucent objects.
Watch this video. you only have to watch it until 0:35. If you watch after that is up to you.
Now watch the video of the reading of Light: Shadows, Mirrors, and Rainbows by Natalie Rosinsky. This will give you information about light, shadows, and mirrors.
After you have read and watched the videos, you will complete the questions on the next part of the WebQuest. Once you answer, you will complete your investigation and fill out the graphic organizer in the evaluation part of our WebQuest.
Evaluation
1. What particles make up light?
a. protons
b. neutrons
c. photons
d.electrons
2. Light behaves like both a particle and a ________.
3. What type of matter allows light to pass directly through it?
a. Translucent
b. opaque
c. transparent
d.all of the above
4. What type of matter reflect light?
a. translucent
b.opaque
c.transparent
d. none of the above
5. What type of matter completely scatters light?
a. translucent
b. opaque
c. transparent
d. all of the above
6. What is light?
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
7. Explain electronmagnetic radiation?
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
8. Recall what shadows are and how they happen.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
9. How does a mirror work and how does it involve light?
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
10. Explain the differents of Transparent, opaque, and reflective materials.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Now complete your graphic organizer for your investigation. Fill in the causes and effects of the materials on light.
You should have a flashlight, wax paper, plastic, cardboard, and aluminum foil to complete the investigation.
Conclusion
Kiss your smart brains! You have completed the Light WebQuest. You guys did great! Let's put our information we learn about light to use!
Credits
Science of Light. (n.d.) Retrieved from https://www.ducksters.com/science/light.php.
Visible Light. (n.d.) Retrieved from https://www.learningfarm.com/web/practicePassThrough.cfm?TopicID=2943
Teacher Page
1-PS4-3
Performance Expectation: Plan and conduct an investigation to determine the effect of placing objects made with different materials in the path of a beam of light.
Clarification Statement: Examples of materials could include those that are transparent (such as clear plastic), translucent (such as wax paper), opaque (such as cardboard), or reflective (such as a mirror).
Disciplinary Core Ideas:
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
Some materials allow light to pass through them, others allow only some light through and others block all the light and create a dark shadow on any surface beyond them, where the light cannot reach. Mirrors can be used to redirect a light beam. (The idea that light travels from place to place is developed through experiences with light sources, mirrors, and shadows, but no attempt is made to discuss the speed of light.) (LE.PS4B.b)
*Disclaimer: Students may not be taught science in 1st grade. This lesson can be used for 4th grade as prior knowledge of this 1st-grade standard. This Web Quest can be linked to the following 4th-grade standard.*
4-PS4-2
Performance Expectation: Develop a model to describe that light reflecting from objects and entering the eye allows objects to be seen.
Clarification Statement: Develop a model to make sense of a phenomenon involving the relationship between light reflection and visibility of objects. In the model, identify the relevant components including light and its source, objects, the path that light follows, and the eye.
Disciplinary Core Ideas:
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
An object can be seen when light reflected from its surface enters the eyes. (UE.PS4B.a)