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://www.sierranevadajourneys.org/snjblog/2020/03/17-why-do-pennies
Students place several objects on a table in a dimly lit room. The objects include shiny items (like a metal spoon or aluminum foil) and dull items (like construction paper or a wooden block). A flashlight shines on the objects from the same distance each time.
Students notice:
Shiny objects look brighter and easier to see
Dull objects look dimmer and harder to see
Students ask:
Why are some objects easier to see than others when the same light shines on them?
We see objects when light reflects off them and enters our eyes. When light hits an object, some of the light reflects, and some may be absorbed by the object. The amount of reflected light affects how bright the object appears.
Shiny objects reflect more light. Their smooth surfaces cause light to bounce off in many directions, including toward our eyes. Because more reflected light reaches the eye, shiny objects appear brighter and easier to see.
Dull objects reflect less light. Their rough surfaces scatter and absorb more light, so less reflected light reaches the eye. This makes dull objects look dimmer, even when the same light shines on them.
In this investigation, students compare shiny and dull objects using the same flashlight and distance. By measuring brightness ratings, students can build a model that shows how the amount of reflected light affects visibility. This model helps explain why light reflection is necessary for seeing and why different materials can appear brighter or darker under the same light.
Object | Surface Type | Brightness Rating (1 to 5) | Visibility Distance (cm) |
|---|---|---|---|
Coin | Shiny | 5 | 200 |
Spoon | Shiny | 4 | 180 |
Paper | Dull | 2 | 90 |
Wood Block | Dull | 1 | 70 |
Look at Table 1. How do the brightness rating and visibility distance compare between shiny objects and dull objects?
Using Figure 1 and Figure 2, describe the pattern you observe between object surface type and how easy the object is to see.
Which object was easiest to see from the farthest distance?
Explain why the wood block was harder to see than the coin, 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 do the data from the shiny and dull object investigation show that light reflecting from objects and entering the eye allows objects to be seen?
Claim:
Evidence:
Reasoning: