Liquid Crystals Interact with Light!

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In this two-part activity, learners explore the properties of liquid crystals, which are responsible for why mood rings change color. In the first experiment, learners will see how liquid crystals change color (and phase) with temperature. In the second activity, learners will conduct an experiment to find out if mood rings change color because of magic or chemistry.

Quick Guide

Preparation Time:
Under 5 minutes
Learning Time:
10 to 30 minutes
Estimated Materials Cost:
$1 - $5 per group of students
Age Range:
Ages 8 - 14
Resource Types:
Activity, Experiment/Lab Activity, Lesson/Lesson Plan
Language:
English

Materials List (per group of students)

  • 1 liquid crystal thermometer
  • 1 mood ring
  • 2 beakers
  • 2 safety goggles
  • notebook
  • ice
  • water

Keywords

Subjects

  • Engineering and Technology
    • Engineering
      • Nanotechnology
    • Technology
  • Mathematics
    • Data Analysis and Probability
      • Data Analysis
      • Data Collection
  • Physical Sciences
    • Heat and Thermodynamics
      • Heat and Temperature
    • Vibration and Waves
    • Light and Optics
      • Reflection and Refraction
    • States of Matter
      • Solids
      • Liquids
      • Gases
      • Changes of Phase
    • Structure and Properties of Matter
      • Atomic Structure
  • The Nature of Science
    • The Scientific Process
      • Conducting Investigations
      • Gathering Data
      • Formulating Explanations

Audience

To use this activity, learners need to:

  • see
  • see color
  • read
  • touch

Learning styles supported:

  • Involves teamwork and communication skills
  • Involves hands-on or lab activities

Other

Components that are part of this resource:

This resource is part of:

Access Rights:

  • Free access

By:

  • Shaw, Maisie ; Gomez, Maria

Rights:

  • All rights reserved, Passport to Chemistry Adventure Program, Mount Holyoke College, 2010

Funding Source:

  • Camille and Henry Dreyfus Foundation, Inc.