DO NOW

• In your notes… answer the following question using bullet points:

– What do you know about light?

Allows us to see

Allows plants to make foodCauses sunburn

Form of energy

Properties of Light

Essential Question

“How do astronomers learn/study what is beyond our atmosphere?”

Objectives:

• Investigate the properties of light

• Explain the role of light in astronomy

• Light is the common term for electromagnetic radiation traveling through space as waves.

Speed of light = 3.0x108 m/s

Creation of light

Light can be created in 3 ways:1. The Sun

2. Light Bulbs – Electricity or batteries

3. Chemicals – Fireworks, explosion, chemical reactions

Properties

Refraction The bending of light as it passes between materials of different optical density

Reflection The abrupt change in direction or bouncing off of a wave

Electromagnetic Spectrum

Electromagnetic Spectrum

• A continuum of all electromagnetic waves arranged according to frequency and wavelength

• Wavelength – Length of the wave

• Frequency – how often the wave occurs in a given time

Color

• Visible Light Spectrum (ROY G. BIV)

• White light is a mixture of every color of the rainbow

• Black is the absence of color

• Observed color – the color seen is reflected back to your eyes

Station Directions

Station 1 – Penny in Dish Pencil and Ruler

Station 2 – Flame Test

Station 3 – Spectroscope

Station 4 – Lenses

Station 5 – Polarized Paper

Station 6 – Electromagnetic Spectrum Packet

READ THE DIRECTIONS!!

Safety Concerns

• Goggles MUST be worn by all students at Station 2 for the entire duration of the investigation!

• Long hair must be pulled back!

If there aren’t any questions….

BEGIN THE INVESTIGATION!!!