Detail Page
Jelly Science: Exploring Light with Water Pearls
written by
Rebecca E. Vieyra
sub author: Caroline Hall
This AAPT lesson blends physics, geometric optics, and biology as students explore image formation by using "water pearls", a hydrating polymer product that expands in water and behaves as a convex lens. By observing objects through the water pearls, students will explore properties of light refraction and learn about focal length of a lens. The water pearls allow learners to visualize image inversion in a convex lens and relate this phenomenon to the vision process in the human lens. They will also observe that the water pearls are invisible when immersed in water because they have the same refractive index as water. The extension activity challenges students to ponder what would happen if our brains did not reorient inverted images so we see them "rightside up".
Editor's Note: Human and mammalian eyes are similar to water pearls in that they invert images. As light rays refract through the human cornea and again through the human crystalline lens, our vision produces an inverted (and backwards) image on the retina of our eyes. This inverted image gets sent through the optic nerve on a pathway to the occipital lobe of the brain, where it is reoriented to be "rightside up". It's an evolutionary marvel, and it happens instantaneously.
Jelly Science: Exploring Light with Water Pearls
by R. Vieyra and C. Hall download 729kb .pdf Published: January 7, 2017
Teacher's Guide: Jelly Science-Exploring Light with Water Pearls
by R. Vieyra and C. Hall Word Version: Print and Customize Your Lesson download 3187kb .docx Published: January 7, 2017 Released under a CC Noncommercial-Share Alike license.
Student Worksheet: Exploring Light with Water Pearls
by Rebecca Vieyra Printable Student Guide for classroom distribution. download 680kb .docx Last Modified: January 11, 2017 Released under a CC Noncommercial-Share Alike license.
Next Generation Science StandardsWaves and Their Applications in Technologies for Information Transfer (MS-PS4)
Students who demonstrate understanding can: (6-8)
Waves and Their Applications in Technologies for Information Transfer (HS-PS4)
Students who demonstrate understanding can: (9-12)
Disciplinary Core Ideas (K-12)
Electromagnetic Radiation (PS4.B)
Crosscutting Concepts (K-12)
Cause and Effect (K-12)
Systems and System Models (K-12)
Structure and Function (K-12)
NGSS Science and Engineering Practices (K-12)
Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions (K-12)
Developing and Using Models (K-12)
Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information (K-12)
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Record Link
<a href="https://www.compadre.org/precollege/items/detail.cfm?ID=14299">Vieyra, Rebecca E.. "Jelly Science: Exploring Light with Water Pearls." 2017.</a>
AIP Format
R. Vieyra, , 2016, WWW Document, (https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=14299&DocID=4652).
AJP/PRST-PER
R. Vieyra, Jelly Science: Exploring Light with Water Pearls, 2016, <https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=14299&DocID=4652>.
APA Format
Vieyra, R. (2016). Jelly Science: Exploring Light with Water Pearls. Retrieved December 12, 2024, from https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=14299&DocID=4652
Chicago Format
Vieyra, Rebecca E.. "Jelly Science: Exploring Light with Water Pearls." 2017. https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=14299&DocID=4652 (accessed 12 December 2024).
MLA Format
Vieyra, Rebecca E.. Jelly Science: Exploring Light with Water Pearls. 2016. 12 Dec. 2024 <https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=14299&DocID=4652>.
BibTeX Export Format
@techreport{
Author = "Rebecca E. Vieyra",
Title = {Jelly Science: Exploring Light with Water Pearls},
Month = {January},
Year = {2017}
}
Refer Export Format
%A Rebecca E. Vieyra %T Jelly Science: Exploring Light with Water Pearls %D January 7, 2017 %U https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=14299&DocID=4652 %O application/pdf
EndNote Export Format
%0 Report %A Vieyra, Rebecca E. %D January 7, 2017 %T Jelly Science: Exploring Light with Water Pearls %8 January 7, 2017 %U https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=14299&DocID=4652 Disclaimer: ComPADRE offers citation styles as a guide only. We cannot offer interpretations about citations as this is an automated procedure. Please refer to the style manuals in the Citation Source Information area for clarifications.
Citation Source Information
The AIP Style presented is based on information from the AIP Style Manual. The APA Style presented is based on information from APA Style.org: Electronic References. The Chicago Style presented is based on information from Examples of Chicago-Style Documentation. The MLA Style presented is based on information from the MLA FAQ. |