SCIENCE CONCEPTS: HANDS –ON ACTIVITY # 3

Sketch:

Materials:

1. Piece of paper
2. Pencil
3. Clear Glass
4. Water

State/Goal(s)/Objectives:  11.a.1a- Describe an observed event

Safety Considerations:  Use trays to avoid spills.

Math Connection:  vertical line

Science Process Skills:  observing and communicating.

Procedure:

1. Draw a vertical line on a piece of paper, about 4-5 inches long.
2. Place the bottom of the glass on top of the line, so the line separates the bottom of the glass in half as students look at it from the top of the glass.
3. Keeping the head in the same place, pour water into the glass and record what happens to the line.

Explanation:

            Refraction is one of many characteristics of light.  Usually light travels in straight lines, but it bends as it passes from a medium of one density to a medium  of differing density.  Light bends because it travels at different speeds through mediums of differing densities.  The denser the material that light is traveling through, the slower the speed will be. 

Source:

Hislop T. & Reed, K., “Bending Light”:  http://www.uen.org/Lessonplan/preview.cgi?LPid=2339