R04e（MiniLight）

MiniLight

PURPOSE:

MiniLight is effective when teaching the followings.

(basics of electric circuit)

(electric conductivity)

(mixing of color of light)

(fluorescence and the mechanism of white LED)

TARGET:

Elementary school students (Grade3-6)

Junior high school students (Grade7-9)

CATEGORY:

Physics, Monozukuri (Science Craft)

HOW TO MAKE

ALL parts are shown in Fig.1.

(1) LED (OSHR5111A (red), OSPG5111A (green) , OSUB5111A (blue))

(2) Lithium Cell (CR2032)

(3) Transparent OHP film (cf. Fig.2)

(4) Foamed polystyrene piece (10mm x 18mm x 2mm)

(5) Polypropylene sheet (cf. Fig.3)

(6) Adhesive aluminum tape (cf. Fig. 4)

First, make a case by folding the polypropylene sheet as shown in Fig.5.

Then Put aluminum tapes on one side of the OHP film as shown in Fig.6

and Turn the film over.

Put the Styrofoam piece on the opposite side of the OHP film as shown in Fig.7

and Put aluminum tapes as shown in Fig.8.

Bend the LED's leads as shown in Fig.9.

As shown in Fig.10, put the LED so that both leads are in contact with aluminum tapes on both sides of the OHP film.

Put another tape on the LED's lead so that LED will not easily come off (Fig.11).

Open the case and Put the assembled parts and lithium Battery as shown in Fig.12

HOW TO USE

1. Since the inner OHP film itself is a circuit board, students can challenge making more complicated circuits by themselves.

Students can try more complicated circuits (cf. Fig.13)

2. Insert the extension part (cf. Fig.14) as shown if Fig.15. Mini light can be used as a tester to find what is conductive. This activity is suited for elementary school students.

3. Try mixing Red, Green, Blue light using MiniLight. A tool made of paper (cf. Fig.16,17) makes the results much clearer in a light place.

4 . Color a piece of white paper using highlighters. When the paper is irradiated with blue light, light of different color is emitted from the paper. (cf. Fig. 18)

REFERENCES

Masahiro Kamata M. and Ai Matsunaga, “Optical experiments using mini-torches with red, green and blue LEDs”, Physics Education 42, pp. 572-577, 2007

Masahiro KAMATA and Tomoyuki MIYATA, “DEVELOPMENT AND EDUCATIONAL PRACTICE OF THE TINY LED TORCHES AS TEACHING MATERIAL”, The Journal of Science Education in Japan 29, pp. 380-387 (R)2005年