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LIGHT TUTORIAL
In each experiment, make a prediction before you make any observations.

1. Consider a very small bulb, a cardboard mask, and a

screen as shown in the diagram at right. Select the
largest circular hole provided by the mask.
Predict what you would see on the screen. Explain
your reasoning in words and with a sketch.

Predict how moving the bulb upward would affect what you see on the screen. Explain.

Observe the demonstration. If any of your predictions were incorrect, resolve the
inconsistency.
2. Predict how each of the following changes would affect what you see on the screen. Explain
your reasoning and include sketches that support your predictions.
• The mask is replaced by a mask with a triangular hole.
• The bulb is moved farther from the mask.

Observe the demonstration. If any of your predictions were incorrect, resolve the
inconsistency.
3. Predict how placing a second bulb above the first
would affect what you see on the screen. Explain.

Predict how moving the top bulb upward slightly

would affect what you see on the screen. Explain.

Observe the demonstrations. If your observations are in conflict with your predictions,
discuss the experiments with your partners until you have reached a resolution.
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4. What do your observations suggest about the path taken by light from the bulb to the screen?

5. Imagine that you held a string of closely spaced small bulbs one
above the other. What would you expect to see on the screen?

Predict what you would see on the screen if you used a bulb with a
long filament instead. Explain your reasoning.

Observe the demonstration.

6. Predict what you would see on the screen in the

situation shown at right. Make a sketch of your
prediction in the space below.

Compare your prediction with those of your partners. After you and your partners have
come to an agreement, observe the demonstration. Resolve any inconsistencies.

7. Predict the size and shape of the lit

area on the screen for the situation
shown. Treat the bulb as a “point
source” of light (i.e., all of the light
emanates from a single point).
How would the lit region on the
screen change if the diameter of
the hole in the mask were halved?
(In particular, does it halve as
well?) Explain.

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8. Suppose that the bulb were replaced by a long filament bulb as shown.
Predict how the height of the lit
area would change if the
diameter of the hole were
halved. (In particular, would it
become half as tall?)
Explain your reasoning in words
and with a sketch.

Observe the demonstration. If your prediction was incorrect, resolve the inconsistency.

In the limit as the hole becomes very small, would the lit region on the screen be
taller than, shorter than or the same height as the filament? Explain.

Predict the approximate size and shape of the lit region on the screen in this limit.

9. Predict what you would see on the screen

in the situation pictured at right.

How would the height and width of each lit area

change if the diameter of the hole in the mask
were halved? Explain your reasoning.

Observe the demonstration. If any of your predictions were incorrect, resolve the
inconsistency.

10. Predict what you would see on the screen in the

situation pictured at right.

Predict what you would see on the screen if the

mask were removed.

Observe the demonstration. If any of your predictions

were incorrect, resolve the inconsistency.