Laser Beam Communication
Laser Beam CommunicationBy Eva WortmanThis lesson was designed
to get kids interested in laser technology and laser beam
communication. 1The 5 EsEngageExploreExplain ElaborateEvaluateThe
five Es of curriculum were adapted for this lesson. Through
introduction, the students will become engaged in the lesson.
Students will explore the equipment to see how each part is placed
and used. It will be explained to them how to work the equipment
and how to get results. More in depth explanations will follow
along with data collection while using the instruments. Last, the
students will graph their data, and evaluate their
results.2EngageGet ready for some fun with lasers!Hands on fun for
everyone!Have you ever imagined sound traveling on a beam of
light?
Students trying to get the laser aimed directly at the receiver.
They raise it and lower. When they hear a buzz, they know they have
it.3ExploreHow does this work?Teamwork Lets work together.
Students experiment using different levels of noise through the
microphone. The are almost ready to begin recording their data.
Everyone has a job to do.4ExplainWhats going on here?This sound is
traveling on a beam of light.Sound level can be determined with a
sound meter.
The computer records the sound level with a line graph. Students
can see that the line graph changes with the different level of
sounds. They experiment to see whos voice can reach over 100 dBA.
5ElaborateWhat happens when you do this?Is dBA affected when I put
a silicon sleeve in front of the beam? Or a blue plastic lid?
Students record dBA of sound after its passed through
semi-transparent object. If they are not sure they got good data
for an object, they will do it over to make sure conditions are the
same for each experiment. By this time they realize that their
voices affect the amount of dBA being recorded. They make sure to
be quiet with each object used.6EvaluateLets graph it!What did you
find out?
Students graph their data. Now they have a visual representation
of their hard work. Well, maybe not too hard; they were having fun
after all.7ConclusionWow, we did it! Now we know that a blue
plastic lid reduces the noise better than the silicon sleeve or the
clear plastic container.
This sounds like the beginning of another experiment!
Three items were used to determine which clear item would block
the sound the most. Students used a blue plastic lid, a silicon
sleeve, and a clear plastic container.8
