Download Optical Phenomena

Optical Phenomena
It’s time for a scavenger hunt using
your cell phone cameras. Ready?
Set? Shoot!
Phenomena to Look For
reflection
refraction
shadows
diffraction
opacity
Here are some samples and reminders
of the phenomena
Refraction: bending of light as it changes media – air to water to air, for example.
Here are some samples and reminders
of the phenomena
Reflection: light bouncing off of a surface. It can be specular (shiny, smooth, and
forming a discernible image) or diffuse (rough, matte, may have glare).
Here are some samples and reminders
of the phenomena
Shadows: Areas formed where light is partially or completely blocked by an
object.
Here are some samples and reminders
of the phenomena
Opacity: The ability for light to pass through a material – transparent, translucent,
opaque.
Here are some samples and reminders
of the phenomena
Mirrors – smooth reflective surfaces than can be flat (plane), concave or convex.
Here are some samples and reminders
of the phenomena
Diffraction – the bending of light as it passes through slits or reflects off thin films.
Here are some samples and reminders
of the phenomena
Lens – transparent material that refracts light to form an image. Here you see a
real, inverted, reduced image. The liquid and the shape of the glass create a
biconvex lens.
Your goal now…
• Is to use your cell phone camera to capture as many optical
phenomena on the scavenger hunt list as possible in 20
minutes.
• You should not disrupt any classes. Your paper acts as a
pass. You must return on time.
• You will need to show the images when you return, for a
grade. Keep track of the photo number (#1 for your first
image, for example).
• Your teacher will not look at all the images, only a select
few so be sure your description is a good one.