Source Institutions
Source Institutions
Add to list Go to activity
Activity link broken? See if it's at the internet archive

In this optics activity, demonstrate diffraction using a candle or a small bright flashlight bulb and a slide made with two pencils. Learners will observe the diffraction pattern and learn that light has wavelike properties.
- Under 5 minutes
- 10 to 30 minutes
- $5 - $10 per student
- Ages 8 - 18
- Activity, Demonstration
- English
Quick Guide
Materials List (per student)
- 2 clean new pencils
- A piece of transparent tape
- A candle OR a Mini-Maglite® flashlight (available for under $15 in many hardware stores). Do not substitute other flashlights. OR A flashlight bulb for a Mini-Maglite®, two AA batteries, a battery holder (available from Radio Shack), and two clip leads
- Pieces of cloth, a feather, plastic diffraction grating, a metal screen, a human hair (optional)
Subjects
-
Life Sciences
-
Human Senses and Perception
- Vision
-
Human Senses and Perception
-
Physical Sciences
-
Vibration and Waves
- Wave Properties
- Diffraction and Interference
-
Vibration and Waves
-
The Nature of Science
-
The Scientific Process
- Conducting Investigations
-
The Scientific Process
Audience
To use this activity, learners need to:
- see
- see color
- touch
Learning styles supported:
- Involves hands-on or lab activities
Other
This resource is part of:
Access Rights:
- Free access
By:
Rights:
- All rights reserved, The Exploratorium,
Funding Sources:
- National Science Foundation
- California Department of Education
- NEC Foundation of America