Wrap the sides of the bottle in aluminium foil.
Fill the bottle with water and turn off the lights.
As you turn the bottle upside down, to pour the water out, shine the torch through the base of the bottle.
The lights shines through the water and creates a beam of light that pours from the mouth of the bottle. A stream.
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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?
The light is internally bouncing within the water stream. Producing a nicely focused beam of light.
Light travels through optical cables in a similar fashion, bouncing through the cables to convey information between users. This process of light bouncing within a substance as it travels is known as Total Internal Reflection.
Variables to test
- What happens when you remove the aluminium foil from the bottle?
- Try using a laser pointer with adult supervision. Does this work better than the flashlight? Why? Try different laser types.
- How far can the water fall and still show the trapped light effect?
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
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.
this was an amazing thing to do with my class thank you
Glad you liked it Kaydi!
how do you make it glow
Hi! The light gets trapped within the water stream producing a brief lit up effect.
I’m trying to do this experiment but I was wondering will the amount of times I wrap the foil around the plastic bottle change anything?
Hi Aimie!
Wrapping the bottle a couple of extra times will help with light being less likely to leave the sides. Give it a try and let us know if there is a difference!
amazing work
Thanks Tasha, glad that you enjoyed this science activity!
Nice work
Does this really work?
Yep!
So what will happen of you remove the aluminum foil?
Hi! Light will escape through the clear plastic. Give it a try and let us know!
how far can the water fall and still show the trap light effect.?
Please measure it and let us know!