light refraction
Light refraction or flip the picture
Dive into the magical world of science with your little ones!
Are you ready to embark on a thrilling journey of discovery with your pint-sized Einsteins? The wondrous realm of science experiments is just waiting to be explored.
Why science experiments with kids?
First things first, let’s talk about why science experiments are so great for your munchkins:
Unleash their inner curiosity
Kids are natural-born scientists with an insatiable thirst for knowledge. Science experiments are like fuel for their curious minds, igniting a passion for learning that’ll last a lifetime.
Hands-on learning
Forget boring textbooks and lectures. Science experiments are all about getting your hands dirty (well, maybe not that dirty) and experiencing the magic of discovery firsthand.
Foster critical thinking
Science isn’t just about memorizing facts; it’s about asking questions, making observations, and forming hypotheses. When you’re doing an experiment ask your kids what they think will happen. By conducting experiments, your little ones will sharpen their critical thinking skills faster than you can say “Eureka!”
Quality bonding time
What better way to bond with your kiddos than by watching colorful reactions unfold or creating mini explosions together (the safe kind, of course)? Science experiments make for unforgettable family memories.
Now it’s time to roll up your sleeves and get down to business.
Flip the picture experiment
What you’ll need:
- a big glass jar
- Water
- Image of a walking person, arrows etc. You just need to be able to see when it changes direction (you can use my free printable).
Instructions:
- Fill the glass with water. Make sure you fill it up enough to cover the image you want to reverse. But you also want to see that the water does the trick, not just the glass.
2. Move the image behind the glass. You might want to try it first to find the right distance. About 5 inches behind the glass should give you the best refraction.
3. Watch what happens and the wonder in your kids’ eyes!
Explain the science behind it:
When you look at something through water, like a glass of water, the light gets bent or refracted.
This bending of light can make things look like they’re in a different place than they really are, which can make the picture seem like it’s changing directions.
Refraction happens because the speed that the light travels through the different materials such as air, glass, and water changes. Light travels very fast in air, but when it passes through something denser than air it slows down and does something called bending and refraction.
The light tries to find the fastest path through the denser material, which also leads to a magnifying effect. As the light is magnified through the water, the light is bent towards the center.
The light eventually comes together at a place called the focal point. Beyond this point the image looks reversed because the light that was on one side is now on the other. This is what our eyes can see.
Happy experimenting!
If you’re looking for another fun experiment, try this one:
Learn about capillary action and have fun.
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