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Teach Science With Fergy

Engagement Through Application

Refraction Demonstration – Scooter Style

Refraction3

When I teach refraction in my optics unit I find the students have a really hard time understanding why the waves change direction.  I explain that it’s because one side starts moving slower relative to the other causing it turn, similar to what occurs when a car has its two right wheels on the shoulder.  This analogy is hard for them since most don’t drive yet.  This year I decided to do something different and since students love visuals and demonstrations, I came up with one that turned out to be very successful. Please keep in mind this is an initial activity which took place before we had started refraction.

Refraction2

Materials:

–          1 scooter

–          Tape

I took a scooter without modification and sent it on its way.  It traveled in a straight line (see video below).

Before doing anything more I asked my students why the scooter moved in a straight line.  Eventually we got to the correct answer that all four wheels were moving at the same rate.  I then asked them what they thought would happen if I put tape on the two right wheels of the same scooter.  I then sent it on its way and it went careening into the wall, similar to how a car can react if you start driving on the shoulder.

We then discussed as a class the reasoning behind the altered motion of the scooter.

An excellent learning experience through inquiry and observation.  I found a deeper level of understanding following this demonstration then I have seen in the past through explanation.

Classroom Connections:  Please click below to view a sample of my Refraction Lessons and/or Optics Unit.

Refraction Lesson Part 1

Refraction Lesson Part 2

High School Optics Unit

Refraction 2Refraction 1Optics

 

 

 

 

 

Fergy

 

 

Article by Fergy / Activities, Physics, Uncategorized / demonstration, demonstrations, learning experience, observation, optics, refraction, visuals, waves

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