Absorbing infrared radiation practical
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can investigate how the intensity of black ink affects the infrared radiation absorbed by a surface.
Key learning points
- In a fair test, only the (independent) variable being investigated is changed
- The dependent variable is measured to investigate the effect of changing the independent variable
- Control variables are other factors that could be changed, but are kept the same in order not to affect the results
- The greater the intensity of black ink, the more easily a surface absorbs infrared
Keywords
Absorption - Absorption is when an electromagnetic wave is incident on a surface and transfers some or all of its energy to that surface.
Infrared radiation - Infrared radiation means electromagnetic waves with frequencies in a range just lower than for red light.
Electromagnetic wave - Electromagnetic waves are oscillations (ripples) in electric and magnetic fields.
Frequency - The frequency of a wave is the number of oscillations that occur each second.
Control variable - Control variables are variables that must remain the same throughout an investigation.
Common misconception
Infrared radiation is visible and is seen when objects glow.
Distinguish clearly between light radiation and infrared radiation in terms of what is visible and what is not visible.
Teacher tip
Preparing sufficient numbers of card envelopes of each shade for placing on thermometers speeds up the investigation; and dipping thermometers into a beaker of water at room temperature (and drying them) reduces time between measurements.
Equipment
For each group: 0-100°C thermometer, prepared envelopes of card, radiant heater or filament lamp that gets hot (e.g. an optics lamp), timer
Content guidance
Risk assessment required - equipment
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Starting with red light, sort the colours of light into the order they appear on the visible spectrum.
Q2.What is the bending of light called when it moves from one transparent medium into another?
Q3.Starting with starting with the highest frequency, sort the colours of light into order of decreasing frequency.
Q4.Which of the following types of EM radiation, emitted by the Sun, can be absorbed by the skin, causing it to become darker?
Q5.Which of the following types of electromagnetic radiation causes the skin to detect feelings of warmth?
Q6.Which of the following oscillate to produce electromagnetic waves?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which of following terms explain what is meant by 'absorbing'?
Q2.Which of the following statements about the appearance of infrared radiation is correct?
Q3.Starting with the one with the lowest frequency, put these types of electromagnetic radiation into order of increasing frequency.
Q4.The higher the temperature of an object, the more infrared radiation it emits and the the frequency of the most intense radiation emitted.
Q5.Which of the following type of variable is shoe size in an investigation to find out if shoe size affects the distance you can kick a football?
Q6.Which of the following does infrared radiation transfer to an object when it is absorbed?
To help you plan your 11 physics lesson on: Absorbing infrared radiation practical, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 11 physics lesson on: Absorbing infrared radiation practical, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 physics lessons from the Electromagnetic waves unit, dive into the full secondary physics curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.