White Light and Colored Light

When does mixing every color under the rainbow create pure white rather than a murky brown or black? When light, not paint, is the medium—and you're subtracting, not adding, color.


White Light and Colored Light



  • More About This Resource...

    • Students learn about the subtractive nature of white light in this Moveable Museum unit. It contains two procedures in which students "take apart" white light and then "put it back together again." The six-page PDF guide includes:

      • Educator materials—general background readings, activity notes, step-by-step directions, an easy-to-assemble color wheel, and information about where to obtain supplies.
      • Separating White Light into Colors procedure—students use special glasses to see that white light is made up of all the colors of the rainbow.
      • Blending Colors into White Light procedure—students create a colorful top and then spin it to see how the different colors blend into white.

    • Completion Time

      Less than a week

    • Topic

      Astronomy

    • Subtopic

      Concepts

    • Subtopic

      National Science Education Standards
      Grades K-4:

      • Science as Inquiry CONTENT STANDARD A:• Physical Science CONTENT STANDARD B:• Science and Technology CONTENT STANDARD E:• History and Nature of Science CONTENT STANDARD G:

      Grades 5-8:

      • Science as Inquiry CONTENT STANDARD A:• Physical Science CONTENT STANDARD B:• Science and Technology CONTENT STANDARD E:• History and Nature of Science CONTENT STANDARD G:

    • Learning Standard

      National Science Education Standards
      Grades K-4:

      • Science as Inquiry CONTENT STANDARD A:• Physical Science CONTENT STANDARD B:• Science and Technology CONTENT STANDARD E:• History and Nature of Science CONTENT STANDARD G:

      Grades 5-8:

      • Science as Inquiry CONTENT STANDARD A:• Physical Science CONTENT STANDARD B:• Science and Technology CONTENT STANDARD E:• History and Nature of Science CONTENT STANDARD G: