You will need:
- A shoebox
- A torch
- Scissors
- White paper
- A dark room
- A straight-sided glass of water (short enough to sit within with the shoebox)
Cut a 5mm wide slit into one side of the shoebox.
Cut a similar slit into the other side of the show box.
Turn off the lights and shine the torchlight through the slits.
Hold a piece of white paper at one end of the shoe box. You should see a thin slit of light on the paper.
Now place the glass of water inside the shoebox, between the two slits.
Again, shine the torch through the two slits, and glass, and onto your sheet of paper.
What do you see?
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Get the Unit of Work on Light & Colour here!
- What is colour addition vs subtraction?
- What is opacity, translucence & transparency?
- What is the difference between refraction & reflection?
- Explore UV light, lenses, thermochromism and more!
Includes cross-curricular teaching ideas, student quizzes, a sample marking rubric, scope & sequences & more
Why Does This Happen?
When you look at the light as it shines through the glass of water, you should see that the rectangle of light on the paper spreads out. As light enters the water in the glass it is bent. This happens because light moves more slowly through water than it does when travelling through air. This makes the light ‘spread out’ more so it creates a broader beam of light. This bending of light is called ‘refraction’.
Variables to test
- Try different width slits in the box
- Try different shaped glasses inside the box
From image formation to rainbow science, we’ve got your unit on light covered!
Get in touch with FizzicsEd to find out how we can work with your class.
Light & Colour
Years 1 to 6
Maximum 30 students
Workshop or Show (NSW & VIC)
60 or 90 minutes
Online Class Available
STEM Full Day Accelerator - Primary
Designed from real classroom experiences, this modular day helps you create consistently effective science learning that directly address the new curriculum with easily accessible and cost-effective materials.
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