Refraction

Today we did a few experiments to find out what refraction is, and to learn about lenses:

1. DESCRIBE Refraction
- experiment (pp92-93 in the sciPad)
- exercises (p94 in the sciPad)
- images etc. from the internet

Notice how the refracted (outgoing) light ray is at a different angle to the incident (incoming) light ray.

2. INVESTIGATE Lenses

- experiment (p95 in the sciPad)

- images etc. from the internet

- Mr Nicoll's glasses are convex lenses; what is wrong with his vision?

Convex lenses CONVERGE light rays to a focal point.

Concave lenses DIVERGE light rays away from each other.

Reflection - Part Two

Today, we did our experiments on reflection. We looked at the Law of Reflection again, then also looked at Concave and Convex mirrors.

SOURCE: http://www.physicsclassroom.com/class/refln/Lesson-1/The-Law-of-Reflection

SOURCE: http://galileo.phys.virginia.edu/outreach/8thGradeSOL/CurvedMirrorsFrm.htm

Reflection

Today, we looked at reflection in a plane mirror (we will finish the experiment tomorrow). We were also shown Total Internal Reflection in a stream on water...because lasers are fun!!

Shadow Puppets!

Today, we watched this amazing video:

Our challenge was to be shadow puppet experts ourselves!

We also had to learn about light waves and why shadows form:

Light and Energy

Today, we learned about the different types of energy. We also learned how some of these types of energy can be transformed into light energy.

Electromagnetic Radiation

Light is an example of electromagnetic radiation. Today we learned about some other types of electromagnetic radiation:

The last task will require some research. To show a full understanding, we need to explain why this type of EM radiation is used for this job, and discuss any health risks (or other negative side-effects) of this type of radiation. Is there something else that could do the job better/just as well?

Expansion and Contraction

Today, we learned about how heating something up can make it expand, while cooling it down will make it contract. In expansion, the particles are moving more, so spread out. In contraction, the particles slow down so can get closer together without actually touching.

The balloon did indeed inflate because the air particles
expanded when heated and had nowhere else to go!

Here are the videos that the group decided to use to demonstrate expansion and contraction:

Convection

Today, we learned about convection and convection currents. Hotter particles (liquid or gas) will rise because they are spread out more (less dense). The colder particles fall. This creates a convection current...

Our homework is:

1. sciPad, p65
2. Why does the water in the ocean get colder the deeper you go?

Here is a summary of all of the types of heat transfer:

Heat Conduction

Today, we were taught about heat conduction by Ben, Livvy, Keegan, Tom H and Daniel M.

Heat conducts through metals because the particles vibrate more when they are hot. This makes the particles next door to them vibrate more too.

Then, we did the experiment and questions in our sciPad (pp60-61).

Our big question for today is: Why does a frying pan have a plastic handle?

Diffusion

Today, we were taught about Diffusion by Megan, Harry, Cam, Elliott, Jack and Louisa.

For our experiment, we added some Condy's Crystals to cold water and observed for one minute. Then we did the same with warm water:

Here is one group's results:

For homework, we had to do two things:

1. pp56-57 in the sciPad
2. Answer this question: If I spray perfume on one side of the room, why can you smell it on the other side of the room?

Answers to sciPad questions:

Applying the Particle Model

This week, we have been set a very tough task. We have to plan a lesson for the class where we teach a concept, include an experiment, and set some homework!!

We will film a lot of this and it will be on the blog for all to see, shortly. The applications of the Particle Model are:

1. Diffusion
2. Conduction
3. Convection
4. Expansion/Contraction

Watch this space...