Polarized Light Exploration

November 21, 2018

To continue polarized light exploration, our students were given polarized light filters, and were asked to search the room for plastic objects created under stress. After experimenting heavily, they started taking photos.  At first they tried only two polarizing filters, and it was very tricky to focus the phone cameras like that. Then, as a class they discovered that their phones work really well as different colored backgrounds and have 1/4 polarized screens. They played with shades of red and blue, and of course white light. The cellphones added a multicolored, and patterned texture to everything we photographed.

To start the unit, everyone found some different items including para-film, a stretchy plastic wrap made from paraffin wax. It showed different types of stress from where we pulled, to the area that was stretched in the middle. After the first round of photographs, we learned that other objects, like water beads and bubble wrap added a mirroring affect to the light below. It took a simple bubble or two and turned them into a half-sphere of gorgeous, rainbow colored light. Also, when photographed, the water beads looked as if there were small, frog faces on each one! We presented these images to the class, and more questions arose. For example, what would happen if we took photos of the water beads mid- growing? Turns out that they look extremely compelling when photographed. The water beads got bigger, and even more interesting visually.

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