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Bending Light

School:: Spruce Creek High School
Subject:: Science
Teacher:: Anne Cooney
Students Impacted:: 30
Grade:: 9-12
Date:: August 22, 2024

Investor

Thank you to the following investor for funding this grant.

DUKE Energy - $589.00

Goal

To better demonstrate SC.7.P.10.2 Observe and explain that light can be reflected, refracted, and/or absorbed. Specifically to meet IB Physics Understanding that "students should understand Snell's law, critical angle and total internal reflection."

What will be done with my students

This equipment will allow three separate laboratory experiments to be done. This relationship is more important in the revised curriculum. In addition to studying refraction (bending) of light in a more dense medium, they will be able to see total internal reflection.

Benefits to my students

While text book knowledge of physical phenomena is useful, when you can safely manipulate science equipment and see and measure the effects efficiently and correctly it can lead to greater understanding. By having an attached laser this will be safer than using laser pointers in the room.

Budget Narrative

Six laser tanks will give appropriate sized groups for students to investigate the bending of light. By filling the tanks with salt water, sugar water, or various oils they should see differences in how the light bends (refracts).