Laboratory Exploration of Light, Colors, and Electrons
Help me give my students laboratory supplies to act as real scientists while they investigate colors, light, and electron configuration.
FULLY FUNDED! Ms. Coy's classroom raised $379
This project is fully funded
Celebrating Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month
This project is a part of the Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month celebration because
it supports a Latino teacher or a school where the majority of students are Latino.
My Project
In chemistry class, hands-on experimentation is essential When students learn about wavelengths of light and the connection between colored light and electrons, laboratory materials can make these abstract concepts into tangible experiences.
Students will use the requested laboratory materials to conduct 3 different experiments in an inquiry-based series of activities.
First, we will use prisms to refract sunlight into it's various colors (wavelengths) and capture the colors with digital photography. Then, using their knowledge of the spectrum of visible light, students will study the light emitted from elemental gases excited by electricity (like neon lights) as well as flame tests of various salts to observe how to metal ion affects the color of flames. The lithium chloride, strontium chloride, and barium chloride put into a bunsen burner flame (using the salt solution soaked coffee stirrers) will allow students to see vividly colored flames caused by excited electrons in the metals. Students can study both the gases and flames using optical spectrometers to see which wavelengths of light are present. Last, we will use glow sticks to observe how light can be emitted from chemically excited electrons, and study the relationship between temperature and light intensity by placing the glow sticks into hot water, cool water, and ice water.
All of these experiences will bridge the connection between the abstract concepts of electron configuration and excitation and their real observations of colors and light.
My students are naturally curious thinkers, and hands-on experiments like these allow them to act as real scientists, making discoveries for themselves in a safe setting.
Nearly all students from low‑income households
Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more
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