Earth Science: Geology, the Environment, and the UniverseChapter 15:
Physical OceanographyProblem of the WeekThe Deep Blue Sea In this problem, students will need to interpret the results of an informal
experiment and a diagram. Then they will have to infer from that information
and the three behaviors of light that were given to determine why an object
appears as a particular color. - As the tank descends past the depth that a particular wavelength of
light penetrates, the object no longer appears that color–it appears
black. Students may understand at this point. The light wavelength must
be present to be reflected by the object.
- Light must be reflected for us to see it. The other wavelengths are
absorbed.
- An object appears a particular color because when light hits it, some
wavelengths of light are absorbed, and some are reflected. Those that
are reflected enter our eyes and are perceived as a particular color.
Resources: - Light
and Color.
The Franklin Institute.
- Color
and Light.
ACEPT W3 Group. Department of Physics and Astronomy, Arizona State University,
Tempe, AZ. 1995-2000 Arizona Board of Regents.
- What
Wavelength Goes With a Color?
NASA. 2001
|