Fun With CDs

Fun With CDs ~15 Minutes

Description: Observing cool optical effects

Objective: To learn about colours and reflection

BC Science Content:
-properties of familiar materials (grade K)
-properties of light and sound depend on their source and the objects with which they interact (grade 1)

Materials: One CD per group (per child is better), several desk lamps, pencil crayons.

Doing it:
A1. Find a desk lamp or other bright light. Stand with the lamp behind you (about 1 or 2 meters away)
A2.Hold the CD in front of your face, about 5-10 cm from your eye. Try to see the reflection of the light in the CD. It helps to close one eye.
A3.Try to make the reflection of the light go through the hole in the cd. You should see a beautiful circular rainbow (this may take a little patience). It may be easier to hold the cd with your finger through the hole.

Fig 1.2 - visual using fluorescent light instead of a desk lamp.