Why is the Sky Purple?

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This simple hands-on activity demonstrates why the sky appears blue on a sunny day and red during sunrise and sunset. Learners observe as a special "sunset egg" and a white light reveal how scattered light emits a blue color and transmitted light emits reddish light. Learners can experiment with different areas of the egg and different light sources to detect interesting variations in color.

Quick Guide

Preparation Time:
Under 5 minutes
Learning Time:
5 to 10 minutes
Estimated Materials Cost:
$1 - $5 per student
Age Range:
Ages 8 - 14
Resource Types:
Activity, Demonstration, Lesson/Lesson Plan
Language:
English

Materials List (per student)

Keywords

Subjects

  • Earth and Space Science
    • Earth Structure
      • Atmosphere
    • Earth, Moon and Sun
  • Life Sciences
    • Human Senses and Perception
      • Vision
  • Physical Sciences
    • Heat and Thermodynamics
      • Heat and Temperature
      • Heat Transfer
    • Vibration and Waves
      • Wave Properties
    • Light and Optics
      • Electromagnetic Spectrum
      • Sunlight and Color
  • The Nature of Science
    • The Scientific Process
      • Conducting Investigations

Informal Categories

  • Nature and Environment

Audience

To use this activity, learners need to:

  • see
  • see color

Learning styles supported:

  • Involves hands-on or lab activities

Other

This resource is part of:

Access Rights:

  • Free access

By:

Rights:

  • All rights reserved, Little Shop of Physics, 2009