Transcript Jessica
Program of Studies Outcomes:
Unit C Outcome #1 (STS): Investigate the nature of light
and vision
Unit C Outcome #2 (STS): Investigate how light is
reflected, transmitted and absorbed by different materials;
and describe differences in the optical properties of
various materials.
Unit E Outcome #2 (STS): Identify evidence of glacial
action, and analyze factors affecting the growth and
attrition of glaciers and polar icecaps.
Introduction: On a Hot Summer Day
Have you ever…
Placed your hand on a black object?
Placed your hand on a white object?
What was the difference?
Why?
Lesson Content: Properties of Light
Time: Approximately 10 minutes
When light reaches a surface, it can be absorbed and
transformed into other types of energy…
Electrical (ie. solar cells)
Thermal (ie. a hot road)
Chemical (ie. trees make sugars)
Properties of Light
Light travels in straight lines until it strikes a surface.
The type of surface will determine how the light will continue.
Transparent: the light continues in a straight path through the object
Translucent: the light will be diverted (refracted) after it passes
through
Opaque: the light will be blocked and not allowed through the
object
Reflection
Reflection is the process in which light strikes a
surface and bounces back off that surface.
How it bounces off the surface depends on the Law of
Reflection and the type of surface it hits.
The Albedo Effect & Reflection
Reflection coefficient
Ratio of reflected radiation from the
surface to incident radiation upon it.
Expressed as a percentage or
measured on a scale from zero (for no
reflecting power of a perfectly black
surface) to 1 (for perfect reflection of
a white surface).
Albedo Effect
Change to the Earth's albedo is a powerful driver of climate.
When albedo increases, more incoming sunlight is reflected
back into space.
Changes in the polar regions can cause more warming in the
entire planet earth system through feedback effects
When the white and gray snow and ice disappears, less sun rays are
reflected out and instead the heat is absorbed by land and sea which causes further increase in the warming.
Resource #1: Albedo Video
Time: Approximately 5 minutes
http://www.youtube.com/watch
?v=rpQNqnRJKeQ&feature=rel
ated
Resource #2: Lesson 5 – Topic 1
Time: Approximately 5 minutes
http://www.explainingclimatechange.ca/Climate
Change 1-8/Lessons/Lesson 5/lesson5.html
See how warming over the past 30 years has affected the
extent of Arctic sea ice.
Resource #3: Lesson 7 – Topic 1 & 4
Time: Approximately 15 minutes
Topic 1: Introduction to Feedback Loops
http://www.explainingclimatechange.ca/Climate Change 18/Lessons/Lesson 7/lesson7.html
Topic 4: Water Feedbacks – Polar Ice Cap Measuring Tool
What Have We Learned?
Reflection
Albedo Effect
Climate Change &
Positive Feedback