Earth Science: Geology, the Environment, and the Universe

Chapter 15: Physical Oceanography

Problem of the Week

The Deep Blue Sea

In this problem, students will need to interpret the results of an informal experiment and a diagram. Then they will have to infer from that information and the three behaviors of light that were given to determine why an object appears as a particular color.

  1. As the tank descends past the depth that a particular wavelength of light penetrates, the object no longer appears that color–it appears black. Students may understand at this point. The light wavelength must be present to be reflected by the object.

  2. Light must be reflected for us to see it. The other wavelengths are absorbed.

  3. An object appears a particular color because when light hits it, some wavelengths of light are absorbed, and some are reflected. Those that are reflected enter our eyes and are perceived as a particular color.

Resources:

  1. Light and Color.
    The Franklin Institute.

  2. Color and Light.
    ACEPT W3 Group. Department of Physics and Astronomy, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ. 1995-2000 Arizona Board of Regents.

  3. What Wavelength Goes With a Color?
    NASA. 2001

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