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Light Energy

Readiness

Light Energy

TEKS Objective

Explore the uses of energy including mechanical, light, thermal, electrical, and sound energy.

Essential Understanding

The student knows that energy occurs in many forms and can be observed in cycles, patterns, and systems.

Science Background

What is Light Energy? Biofuelswatch.com (website) - Article explains characteristics of light and how we perceive this energy form. Includes links to related articles.

What is Light Energy?
Biofuelswatch.com

The Electromagnetic Spectrum: NASA (website) - Concise, illustrated synopsis of the electromagnetic spectrum: radio waves, microwaves, infrared, visible light, ultraviolet, x-rays and gamma rays.

The Electromagnetic Spectrum
NASA, http://science.hq.nasa.gov

Signature Lesson

Enlightening Explorations, Part II: Utah Education Network (website) - Students investigate and describe how light can be produced, reflected, refracted and separated into its component colors.

Enlightening Explorations, Part II
Utah Education Network, http://www.uen.org

Supporting Lessons

Characteristics of Light, Light Travels in a Straight Line: Minnesota Science Teachers Education Page (website) - Simple investigation that compares lightwaves to soundwaves, and illustrates that light travels in a straight line.

Characteristics of Light, Light Travels in a Straight Line
Minnesota Science Teachers Education Page, http://serc.carleton.edu

Splitting Light: CSIRO (website) - Use a water-filled glass to separate sunlight into its component “rainbow” colors.

Splitting Light
CSIRO, www.csiro.au

Elaboration Lessons and Extensions

Reflection and Refraction: Algodoo (website) - Students investigate reflection and refraction of light, and the impact of different materials on a beam of light. 

Reflection and Refraction
Algodoo, www.algodoo.com

Edison and the Light Bulb: Science NetLinks (website) - This lesson introduces students to the world of technology and inventions, helping them to understand the enormous impact of scientists and inventors in society.

Edison and the Light Bulb
Science NetLinks, http://sciencenetlinks.com

Assessment Ideas

Reflection & Refraction: My Schoolhouse (website) - Illustrated explanation of reflection and refraction, suitable for young students. Use the assessment section at the end to test your students’ knowledge.

Reflection & Refraction
My Schoolhouse, http://www.myschoolhouse.com

 

Literature Connections

Light (Energy in Action). Mahaney, I. (ISBN-13: 978-1404221857)

My Light. Bang, M. (ISBN-13: 978-0439489614)

Mr. Slaptail’s Curious Contraption. Tharp, B, Dresden, J, and Moreno, N. (ISBN-13: 978-1888997347)

Day Light, Night Light: Where Light Comes From. Branley, Franklyn (ISBN-13: 978-0064451710)

Rainbow and You. Krupp, Edwin (ISBN-13: 978-0688156015)

Related Science TEKS

(5.1A) Science Safety
The student is expected to demonstrate safe practices and the use of safety equipment as described in the Texas Safety Standards during classroom and outdoor investigations.

(5.1B) Recycling/Disposal of Science Materials
The student is expected to make informed choices in the conservation, disposal, and recycling of materials.

(5.2B) Ask Questions, Formulate a Hypothesis
The student is expected to ask well-defined questions, formulate testable hypotheses, and select and use appropriate equipment and technology.

(5.2C) Collect Data
The student is expected to collect information by detailed observations and accurate measuring.

(5.2D) Analyze Evidence and Explain
The student is expected to analyze and interpret information to construct reasonable explanations from direct (observable) and indirect (inferred) evidence.

(5.2F) Communicate Conclusions
The student is expected to communicate valid conclusions in both written and verbal forms.

(5.2G) Graphs, Tables, Charts
The student is expected to construct appropriate simple graphs, tables, maps, and charts using technology, including computers, to organize, examine, and evaluate information.

(5.4A) Tools for Collecting and Analyzing Information
The student is expected to collect, record, and analyze information using tools, including calculators, microscopes, cameras, computers, hand lenses, metric rulers, Celsius thermometers, prisms, mirrors, pan balances, triple beam balances, spring scales, graduated cylinders, beakers, hot plates, meter sticks, magnets, collecting nets, and notebooks; timing devices, including clocks and stopwatches; and materials to support observations of habitats or organisms such as terrariums and aquariums.

(5.4B) Safety Equipment
The student is expected to use safety equipment, including safety goggles and gloves.

Related Math TEKS

(5.12B)   The student is expected to use experimental results to make predictions.

(5.14B)   The student is expected to solve problems that incorporate understanding the problem, making a plan, carrying out the plan, and evaluating the solution for reasonableness.

(5.15A)  The student is expected to explain and record observations using objects, words, pictures, numbers, and technology.

Additional Resources

Solar Energy: Energy Kids (website) - Students learn about ways to convert solar energy into other forms of energy, such as heat and electricity.

Solar Energy
Energy Kids, www.eia.gov

Energy: TeachEngineering (website) - A series of nine lessons covering a range of energy types including electrical, light, sound and thermal.

Energy
TeachEngineering, www.teachengineering.org

Sensing Energy: Science NetLinks (website) - Students perform simple experiments to investigate unseen energy produced by the sun.

Sensing Energy
Science Netlinks, www.sciencenetlinks.com

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