Three extension labs to continue your investigation of light and optics using pinholes. Here students determine how the pinhole size, shape, or distance from the screen affect the image. Later they'll connect their findings to lenses. Each lab includes cards for Claim, Evidence, and Reasoning (CER) that can be used in a variety of ways. Each of the three labs is complete in itself and is an extension of the concepts first taught in the activity Optics: Using Pinholes and Light Bulbs--Core Lab
Use this to learn and reinforce answers to questions such as:
- How does the size of a pinhole affect the image it makes?
- How does the size of a pinhole affect the image it makes?
- How does the distance of a pinhole from a screen affect the image it makes?
Once students try this activity, they can capture their observations using the included Lab Notes or probing questions included in the instructions.
Concepts Addressed
- The size of a pinhole doesn’t affect the size of the image it makes.
- The shape of a pinhole affects the clarity and brightness but not the shape of the image it makes.
- The farther a pinhole is from a screen, the larger the image it creates.
Answer Keys and Teacher Notes address most questions and issues that might arise in this study—you shouldn’t have to do any outside research unless you want to.
Materials Needed Foil, Pushpin, Lamp with metal shade, Clear (unfrosted) light bulb. white cardboard screen or a plain wall.
Prep Needed Gather supplies
Teaching Time Three 30 min periods
Related Labs Light and Optics
