I'm thinking of how to introduce a flashlight experiment in either Algebra 1 or 2. I thought it'd be fun to try to create a 3 act lesson. However, in this case Act 2 involves students playing with flashlights.
| Act 1 | Question: How large is the light circle on the wall? |
| Act 2 | Need: flashlights, measuring tapes/meter sticks Students investigate the relationship between the distance of the flashlight from a sheet of paper and the diameter of the light circle it creates. Be sure to have students measure the diameter of the light circle at 0cm away from the paper. This is not a direct variation relationship (though most often the concept is introduced as one in textbooks). |
| Act 3 | Extension: Find the relationship between the distance of the spotlight from the wall and the area of the light circle on the wall. |
I do think it'd be fun to do an extension talking about distance and light intensity but the reality is, light probes are wicked expensive. Even when I've tried using the light meter on my students iPhones (with LuxMeter App) it was hard to get consistent results. Maybe someone will read this and want to donate all their old TI CBL light meter probes from the math closet. Pretty please?
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