Directions: Use the information provided and your knowledge of Physical Science to answer the following questions. Show all work where necessary.
Directions: Use the information provided and your knowledge of Physical Science to answer the following questions. Show all work where necessary.
Source:
https://vamosarema.com/
Students place sheets of different colored paper (red, blue, green, yellow, and black) on a table in a dim room. A white flashlight shines on each paper from the same distance. Students observe that all papers become visible when light shines on them, but some appear brighter than others.
Students notice:
Papers cannot be seen well without light
With light, all papers are visible
Some colors appear brighter than others
Students ask:
How does reflected light allow us to see colored objects?
Light allows us to see objects because it reflects off objects and enters our eyes. White light is made of many colors. When white light shines on an object, the object reflects some colors of light and absorbs others.
The color we see depends on which light is reflected into our eyes. For example, red paper reflects mostly red light and absorbs other colors. Blue paper reflects blue light. Black paper absorbs most light and reflects very little, so it appears dark.
In this investigation, students shine a flashlight on different colored papers. Light travels from the flashlight to the paper and then reflects into the eye. Because each color reflects a different amount of light, some papers appear brighter than others.
This shows that seeing color still depends on light reflecting into the eye. If no light reaches the paper, or if no reflected light reaches the eye, the object cannot be seen. By modeling the path of light, students can explain how light reflection allows us to see both objects and their colors.
Paper Color | Brightness Rating (1–5) | Visibility Distance (cm) |
|---|---|---|
Yellow | 5 | 210 |
White | 5 | 220 |
Red | 3 | 180 |
Blue | 3 | 150 |
Green | 4 | 140 |
Black | 1 | 60 |
Look at Table 1. How do the brightness rating and visibility distance compare among the different paper colors?
Using Figure 1 and Figure 2, what pattern do you observe between paper color and how far away the paper can be seen?
Which paper color could be seen from the greatest distance?
Explain why black paper was harder to see than yellow or white paper, even though the same flashlight was used.
Which piece of evidence best supports the idea that objects are seen when light reflects off them and enters the eye?
How does the colored paper investigation show that light reflecting from objects and entering the eye allows objects to be seen?
Claim:
Evidence:
Reasoning: