Gelatin Optic Fibers

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In this activity, learners make optical fibers out of strips of gelatin. The boundary surface between the gelatin walls and air acts like a mirrored surface, reflecting the light as if it were bouncing off a mirrored surface. As a result, shining the laser pointer through the gelatin strips demonstrates total internal reflection. Try changing the direction of the laser pointer and see what happens. Educators can use this activity to demonstrate refraction and critical angles. Note: learning time includes the time it takes to make and refrigerate the gelatin. [Activity is publicly available through a web crawler capture on Archive.org.]

Quick Guide

Preparation Time:
Under 5 minutes
Learning Time:
2 to 4 hours
Estimated Materials Cost:
$1 - $5 per group of students
Age Range:
Ages 8 - 14
Resource Types:
Activity, Demonstration
Language:
English

Materials List (per group of students)

  • inexpensive laser pointer
  • package of unflavored or light-colored gelatin dessert
  • shallow cake pan
  • spatula
  • mixing bowl
  • ruler

Keywords

Subjects

  • Engineering and Technology
    • Engineering
      • Electrical Engineering
      • Metallurgy and Materials Engineering
  • Physical Sciences
    • Vibration and Waves
      • Light and Optics
    • Light and Optics
      • Lasers
      • Lenses and Mirrors
      • Reflection and Refraction

Informal Categories

  • Electronics
  • Food and Cooking

Audience

To use this activity, learners need to:

  • see
  • see color
  • touch

Learning styles supported:

  • Involves hands-on or lab activities

Other

Access Rights:

  • Free access

By:

Rights:

Funding Source:

  • 3M