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Light

Find out more about light and rainbows , experiments with light, and the answers to trivia questions sent with the kids science project on air.

 

Trivia Questions

1) What is the difference between reflection and refraction?

2) Is the index of refraction the same for water and ice?  If not, what is the difference?

 Find the answers to these kids science questions.

Kids Science Library

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Science Experiments for Kids Science doesn't have to be complicated, expensive or use specialized laboratory equipment. There are great science projects that can be performed using common household items.

Whether you are a parent or a student trying to find an idea for a science project, a teacher looking for ideas for the classroom, or a science enthusiast who enjoys the delight of experimentation, you'll find what you're looking for in this book.

101 Easy Science Projects

 

How are rainbows made?

Rainbows are caused by another aspect of refraction called dispersion. Light waves of different frequencies (colors) bend different amounts. In most cases, this is not noticeable, but prisms make use of this to spread out the spectrum so we can see all of the colors. Violet light bends the most, with each color bending a little less up to red, which bends the least.

 

If light is bent when it passes through glass, is everything we see through a glass window actually in a different spot?

Light is bent when passing through a transparent material.  What happens when you look out a window?  Does the bending of light mean that nothing is where it appears to be?

Refraction does when you look out a window, but the effects of the bent light is canceled  out. A clear glass has two surfaces that the light passes through - the inside surface of the glass and the outside surface of the glass. When the light passes through the inside surface of the glass the path is bent in one direction and when the light passes back out through the outside surface of the glass it is bent in the other direction.  They cancel each other out and there is no noticeable effect from refraction. 

 

Websites with information on Light Refraction

Light refraction and spear fishing
Calculate index of refraction
Refraction experiment
 

Experiments with Refracting Light 


1. Make a Rainbow (glass of water, white paper, sunlight)

Fill a glass full with water. Carefully put the glass on the edge of the table so that it is half on and half off, without tipping over! Make sure the sun is shining through the water. Position the white paper on the floor so that the rainbow shows on the paper.

2. Where is it? (clear bowl, pebles or beads, water)

Put the pebbles or beads into the clear bowl and fill it with water. Look through the side of the bowl. What do you notice. Continue looking through the side of the bowl, and try and pick them up. Which ones are easiest to touch? Which ones are harder? See if you can figure out why? 

 

Light Crystal Prism 4.5" (Special Deal)

Light Crystal Prism 4.5" (Special Deal)

A larger version of our Light Crystal comes with a removable black base and instructions. Bringing a rainbow indoors will brighten anyone's day.


 

Cover for Everything Kids Science Experiments Book

The Everything Kids' Science Experiments Book: Boil Ice, Float Water, Measure Gravity-Challenge the World Around You

Science has never been so easy - all you need to do is gather a few household items and you can recreate dozens of mind-blowing, kid-tested science experiments.

Order Science Experiments Now

  Cover for How Science Works Book

How Science Works

Interesting experiments and good descriptions covering matter; energy, force, and motion; light and sound; air and water; electricity and magnetism; and electronics and computers

Order How Science Works Now

Spa Science

Spa Science

Take science into the bathtub. It's perfect for science fairs, birthday parties and family fun. It will help both girls and boys to think like a scientist in the tub!


 

Trivia Answers

1) What is the difference between reflection and refraction?

Reflection is when light is bounced back at an object.  Refraction is when light is bent as it travels through a different medium, but continues in the same general direction.

2) Is the index of refraction the same for water and ice?  If not, what is the difference?

The index of refraction for water 1.33 and ice is 1.31.  The optical density of ice is less than that of water. Light travels through ice faster than it travels through water.

 Note to Parents:

Creative Kids at Home has checked every weblink on this page.  We believe these links provide interesting information that is appropriate for kids.  However, the internet is a constantly changing place.  You are responsible for supervising your own children.  If you ever find a link that you feel is inappropriate, please let us know. 

 

Send us a note if you have any questions.

 

 

 

 

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