SeeK > Themes > Light > Kosmic Kaleidoscopes logo

Kosmic Kaleidoscopes

AIM:

To introduce the concept that light can be reflected from surfaces. For example, mirrors.

CURRICULUM LINK:

KS2: Sc4 Physical Processes, Light and Sound. 3(c)

TIME:

35 minutes total. 5-10 minutes for mirrors, 25 minutes kaleidoscopes

MATERIALS REQUIRED:

Per group:

  • 3 large sturdy plastic mirrors (A4 size or larger for full benefit)
  • Masking tape
  • A few 2p coins
  • Sellotape
  • Scissors
  • Elastic bands
  • Colouring pens

Per child:

  • 1 cardboard tube (toilet roll or half a kitchen roll tube) per child
  • 3 strips of silver mirror card to fit inside the tube per child (strip size approx. 3.5 x 11 cm)
  • 1 square of tracing paper to fit over end of tube per child (approx. 10 x 10 cm)
  • 1 square of black paper to fit over end of tube per child (approx. 10 x 10 cm)

 

METHODS:

  • Get the children to investigate the number of reflections they can see with 1, 2 and then 3 mirrors in different arrangements - use the masking tape to hold them together.
  • You can use the coins so they can count the amount of money they can see in the reflections.
  • Use the 3 mirrors to make the internal part of a kaleidoscope - let them play with this for a short while to investigate the way in which the images are reflected.
  • Each child can then make their own kaleidoscope to keep.

To Make the Kaleidoscope:

  1. To make the kaleidoscopes, cut the strips of mirrored card to the length of the cardboard tube and stick then together with the sellotape to make the same arrangement as the 3 mirrors used beforehand. Fix this in place inside the tube.
  2. Cut a piece of black paper big enough to stick over one end of the tube. Snip a small hole in the centre and stick in place.
  3. Cut the tracing paper big enough so that it can be fixed in place over the other end of the tube with an elastic band. Use the coloured pens to draw patterns before fixing in place.
  4. Hold the completed kaleidoscope up to a window and look through the hole. Carefully turn the tracing paper end and watch the changing patterns.

THEORY:

  • If more than one mirror is used you will see reflections of reflections, perhaps continuing on forever into the distance.
  • In the kaleidoscope you can see reflections of reflections of the patterns on the tracing paper as the light illuminates the image.

WEB LINKS:

Exploratorium Science Snacks - Duck into Kaleidoscope
Make multiple images of yourself.

Exploratorium Science Snacks - Look into Infinity
Discover images of images of images can repeat forever.

Reflection & Refraction
Detailed description of reflection and refraction (mathematical in places).

back to Light