Ready-to-Go Resources: All About Light

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Lesson 2: How Does Light Move?

Goal: Examine refraction and reflection

Time required: 40 minutes

Materials: How Does Light Move? (PDF) Student Reproducible 2, pencil or pen, flashlight, 3 pieces of paper, hand mirror, penny, clear drinking glass, water

Directions:

  1. Review the light spectrum and explain how only a small part of the light spectrum is visible. Distribute copies of How Does Light Move? Student Reproducible 2.

  2. Have students conduct the experiments about visible light in groups.

  3. Review students' answers as a class. Regardless of what they predicted, students' conclusions should include the following:
Yes, light travels in a straight line. The only way the light was able to pass through each of the cards was when the holes were arranged in a straight line. Light wasn't able to "bend" around misaligned holes to get through.

Yes, light rays can be bent. The penny "disappeared" because the water in the glass bent the light rays so they passed over your head—away from your eyes. The only way to see the penny at this point was to stand up so your eyes intercepted the rays.

Yes, light rays can bounce. The mirror changed the path of the light rays, directing them to a direction opposite the shiny surface. This was evident because the light rays hit a different wall instead of continuing forward "through" the mirror.

Writing extension: Have students choose one of the experiments and write a formal lab report. The report should include a hypothesis (prediction), materials, procedure, results, and conclusion.


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Student Contest! Teachers, help your students write a letter to a newspaper editor about Thomas Edison's great invention!
To get started, distribute this contest entry form (PDF), contest entry page (PDF), and family contest activity (PDF).

Students Have a Chance to Win:

• $5,000 or $1,250 U.S. savings bond
• Scholastic Inventor's Gift Pack of Books

Teachers Have a Chance to Win:

• $250 GE Science Grant
• $250 Scholastic gift certificate
• One-year home supply of light bulbs
• Science-themed set of library books

Classrooms Have a Chance to Win:

• Class visit from an Olympic athlete
• Class set of collectible GE Olympic Games pins

All winners receive a collectible GE Olympic Games pin and a certificate of participation!

Entries must be postmarked by
October 21, 2005.
Official Rules (PDF)

Download an exciting activity and
fun facts about how GE is helping
to bring the Games to light.
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General Electric Company.
GE is proud to be a worldwide partner of the 2006 Olympic Winter Games, to be held in Torino, Italy. Download the resources for an exciting activity and fun facts about how GE is helping to bring the Games to light.
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