Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
Becky McCoy
Target Audience:
High School Conceptual Physics Course (9th – 12th grade)
Objectives:
Students Will Be Able To:
• Identify how light travels.
• Describe how light interacts with a mirror through words and diagrams.
Misconception(s) Addressed:
• Light just is and has no origin.
• Light does not travel.
• Light does not bounce or reflect.
• Images stay on the surface of a mirror.
Necessary Preparation:
COPIES
• Mirror, Mirror Worksheets
• Mirror, Mirror Homework
MATERIALS
• Cut 2 squares of cardboard. In one square cut one slit in the middle and in the other square cut
two slits. Have tape available to attach the cardboard squares to the flashlight.
• Punch a hole on the side of the soda can, near the bottom. Be sure the sharp edges are on the
inside of the can.
Light & Optics Unit
Becky McCoy
• Computer and projector.
• Small mirrors.
• Masking tape.
SET UP
• Physics Push-Up Demonstration
Light & Optics Unit
Becky McCoy
Lesson Plan
Materials:
• Flashlight
• Cardboard square with 1 slit
• Cardboard square with 2 slits
• Empty soda can with hole near bottom
• Water to fill the can
Procedure: 5 minutes
1. Shine the flashlight against a blank wall.
2. Attach the one slit square to the flashlight and shine it against the same spot.
3. Attach the two slit square to the flashlight and shine it against the wall.
4. Holding one finger over the hole in the soda can, fill the can with water. Holding the can above a
sink or bucket, shine a flashlight down into the can, and let go of the hole.
Questions to Ask:
• What do you observe when the flashlight shine against the wall?
• What is different when the one slit cardboard square shines on the wall?
• What about the two slit cardboard square?
• Why does the light seem to bend out of the can? How can you explain this?
Materials:
• Small mirrors, one for every partnership in the classroom.
• Masking tape.
• Worksheets.
Procedure:
1. Find a place where there is a wall with plenty of space around it. Attach the mirror at eye level
on a wall with masking tape. Cover the mirror with a piece of paper.
Light & Optics Unit
Becky McCoy
2. Guess where you and your partner need to stand to see each other's reflection on the mirror.
When you both agree on the places, mark them on the floor with 6-inch pieces of masking tape
and draw a diagram on your worksheet.
3. Remove the paper from the mirror. Stand at your chosen place to determine if you can see each
other in the mirror.
4. Try different spots until you can see your partner. Mark the places that work with the 6-inch
pieces of masking tape and draw a new diagram.
5. Place long pieces of masking tape on the floor from the center of your 6-inch place markers to
the wall straight under the center of the mirror. These should be straight lines.
6. Look at the angles made by the taped lines on the floor and the wall to see if they are the same
size. Remember that light bounces off a mirror at the same angle that it arrives. Therefore, when
the light from your face travels to the mirror on the wall, it should bounce off the mirror at the
same angle to the eyes of your partner.
7. On your worksheet, write a description of what you did in this activity. Include a diagram with
lines showing how light reflects off a mirror.
Questions to Ask:
• What happened?
• Were you surprised?
• How does this affect your perception of light?
• How can you describe how light travels from the results of this activity?
• What do you hope to investigate more with regards to light?
Extension Activity:
Extra ray diagrams on the board and/or discussions of experiences of reflection.
Light & Optics Unit
Becky McCoy
Assessment:
• 321 Exit Cards
• Mirror, Mirror Worksheets
• Mirror, Mirror Homework
• Teacher circulating room during activity
• Teacher evaluation of students responses/questions throughout lesson
Resources:
Bill Nye Website: http://www.billnye.com
Making Sense of Secondary Science by Rosalind Driver
Molecular Expressions: http://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/optics/activities/students/mirror.html
University of Dallas: http://phys.udallas.edu/C3P/Preconceptions.pdf
University of Virginia: http://galileo.phys.virginia.edu/classes/620/Optics_Activities.html
Diagrams:
Light & Optics Unit
Becky McCoy
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