Refraction - Water gems (Brie-anna Molina)

Author

Brie-anna Molina

Principle(s) Illustrated

• When light enters water, it slows down, thus changing its angle. This causes the image we see to be distorted. The water gems, due to their transparency, spherical shape, and high water content, blend in with the water so that you cannot see them when submerged.

Standards

• NGSS Science & engineering standards

  • Asking questions

  • Planning and Carrying out Investigations

  • Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions

  • Engaging in Argument from Evidence

• NGSS Cross-cutting concept standards

  • Structure and Function

• NGSS Disciplinary core idea standards

  • The wavelength and frequency of a wave are related to one another by the speed of travel of the wave, which depends on the type of wave and the medium through which it is passing. (HS-PS4-1)

Questioning Script

Prior knowledge & experience:

This is something I usually do on the first day of school as an exercise in making observations. I ask the students the simple question, "what's in the jar?" Most say water but some will get creative and suggest vinegar or alcohol. Some get chemical and say hydrogen and oxygen, carbon dioxide, particulates, chlorine, etc. My students have completed through chemistry so they are usually good at providing some chemical explanation.

Root question:

What's in the jar? (Code: What are all the "things" you can name in this jar?)

Target response:

I like students to get creative with their responses and consider all the "things" that could be in the jar - including the liquid and gases.

Common Misconceptions:

Clear liquid is must be water. There is nothing in the jar other than the liquid (forgetting about gas).

Photographs and Movies

This one shows the reaction I get from students after I let them reach into the bowl or jar.

References

References (give the title of the page and insert a link. Don't just paste a URL)