Exploring Materials: Nano Gold
Source Institutions
-
NISE Network
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In this activity, learners discover that nanoparticles of gold can appear red, orange or even blue. They learn that a material can act differently when it’s nanometer-sized. Use this activity to explain how stained glass gets its different colors. Note: the cost for the materials in this activity is quite high. However, this is a one-time cost, since the nano gold is kept in vials at all time and thus should not be used up. SAFETY: Do not let visitors ingest the contents of the vials. Keep vials sealed shut. Use caution when handling the stained glass samples. Do not remove them from their protective case.
- Under 5 minutes
- 5 to 10 minutes
- Over $20 per group of students
- Ages 4 - adult
- Activity, Demonstration
- English, Spanish
Quick Guide
Materials List (per group of students)
- Vial of gold flakes
- Vial of red nano gold (20 nm)
- Vial of orange nano gold (80 nm)
- Samples of stained glass made with gold (red #001311 and light orange #001823)
- Mini-light (very bright white LED)
- Sheet of white paper
- Image of stained glass window
Subjects
- Engineering and Technology
- Engineering
- Metallurgy and Materials Engineering
- Nanotechnology
- Technology
- Medical Technology
- Engineering
- Physical Sciences
- Light and Optics
- Electromagnetic Spectrum
- Reflection and Refraction
- Sunlight and Color
- Light and Optics
Informal Categories
- Arts and Crafts
Audience
To use this activity, learners need to:
- see
- see color
Learning styles supported:
- Links STEM to other topics of interest such as arts and humanities
- Involves hands-on or lab activities
Other
Foreign language versions of this resource:
- Spanish: Exploring Materials Nano Gold - Sign (Spanish)
- Spanish: Exploring Materials Nano Gold - Guide (Spanish)
- Spanish: Exploring Materials Nano Gold - Stained Glass Sheet (Spanish)
Components that are part of this resource:
- Exploring Materials Nano Gold - Guide
- Exploring Materials Nano Gold - Guide
- Exploring Materials Nano Gold - Sign
- Exploring Materials Nano Gold - Stained Glass Sheet
- Exploring Materials Nano Gold - Stained Glass Sheet
This resource is part of:
Access Rights:
- Free access
By:
Rights:
- Creative Commons, Sciencenter, 2011
Funding Sources:
- National Science Foundation, 0532536
- National Science Foundation, 0940143
