Reflectivity of Light
Recommended for grades K–5.
Introduction
Light is reflected from surfaces based on their texture and color. The amount of light reflected is called the reflectivity of the surface. Reflectivity is important in determining our climate on Earth. Things like oceans, trees, ice, and deserts greatly affect how much of the sun’s light energy is reflected and how much heats the Earth.
Objectives
In this activity, you will
- Use a Light Probe to measure reflected light.
- Make conclusions based on your data.
Sensors and Equipment
This experiment requires each of the following Vernier sensors and equipment (unless otherwise noted):
Additional Requirements
You may also need an interface and software for data collection. What do I need for data collection?
Download Experiment Preview
The student-version preview includes:
- Step-by-step instructions for computer-based data collection
- List of materials and equipment
Note: The experiment preview of the computer edition does not include essential teacher information, safety tips, or sample data. Instructions for Logger Pro and other software (such as LabQuest App or TI handheld software, where available) are on the CD that accompanies the book. We strongly recommend that you purchase the book before performing experiments.
Standards Correlations
See all standards correlations for Elementary Science with Vernier »
Included in the Lab Book
Vernier lab books include a CD with word-processing files of the student instructions, essential teacher information, suggested answers, sample data and graphs, and more.