Hooked on Science: American Flag Shadow
American Flag Shadow
INGREDIENTS
- Blank Canvas
- Glow-In-The-Dark Paint
- Bright Flash Light
- American Flag
- Construction Paper
- Plastic Wrap
INSTRUCTIONS
STEP 1: Paint the blank canvas with the glow-in-the-dark paint. Allow the canvas to dry.
STEP 2: Shine the bright flash light through the American flag, construction paper, and plastic wrap. What happened? Which object is considered translucent, transparent, and opaque? Why?
STEP 3: Place the American flag flat on the canvas, shine the bright flash light over the American flag, turn off the bright flash light, remove the American flag, and observe. What happened? Why?
EXPLANATION
The glow-in-the-dark paint absorbs light and then re-emits the light over a period of time, causing the canvas to glow. The American flag is translucent and stops some of the light from reaching the paint, therefore preventing that area from glowing, making it look as if you captured the shadow of the American. Go to www.hookedonscience.org for more experiments that might get you and your family “Hooked on Science.”
