Hercules and the prism of light
LIght waves and the Eye
Physical Science
01
Look at the two photos. The top has a red light shining on the apple, the bottom has a green light shiningon the same apple
Research and Hypothesis
As Hercules traveled, he consulted philosophers and scholars who explained the nature of light. He learned that white light contains all the colors of the spectrum, and when passed through a prism, it separates into a rainbow of colors. With this knowledge, Hercules hypothesized that the Cyclops, with its single enormous eye, might struggle with bright light. If he could manipulate the properties of light—reflection, absorption, and refraction—he might have a chance to outwit the beast.
Open the Gizmo: Eyes and Vision 1-Seeing color
The Gizmo shows three colored lights. These colors are called the primary colors of light
The colors you see (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and violet) are called a spectrum.
White light is actually a mixture of all colors. The prism separates white light into these
colors, just like rain droplets separate sunlight into the colors of a rainbow
When light hits an object, several things can happen. If the object is transparent,
like glass, the light will go right through it. If the light doesn’t pass through, it can either be
reflected from the surface or it can be absorbed by the object
Question: Which light colors are absorbed by an object, and which colors are reflected?
Observe: Drag Red Riding Hood in the stand, and turn on the red light.
Turn off the red light and turn on the green light.
Predict: Think about what might happen if you did the same experiment with a blue book.
Hercules found the monstrous Cyclops guarding the Prism of Light. Using a polished bronze shield, Hercules positioned himself so that the incoming sunlight reflected directly into the Cyclops’ eye. The sudden burst of light temporarily blinded the monster, causing it to roar in pain.
Question: How do objects that are mixtures of colors absorb and reflect light?
Drag Goldilocks to the stand. Turn each light on and off
Observe: Select Show what the eye “sees” and turn on only the red light.
Hercules noticed a pile of shattered crystal near the cave’s entrance—perhaps remnants of the Prism’s original resting place. He quickly gathered several shards and arranged them in the path of the incoming sunlight. As the light passed through, it refracted into a dazzling rainbow, scattering colors across the cavern. The Cyclops, unable to process the sudden explosion of light and color, stumbled backward in confusion, covering its eye.
Predict: Predict the colors of light that will be absorbed and reflected by the cyan book and then the magenta book. (Hint: Cyan is blue-green and magenta is red-blue.)
Predict: Predict the colors of light that will be absorbed and reflected by the cyan book and then the magenta book. (Hint: Cyan is blue-green and magenta is red-blue.)
Hercules successfully used the properties of light to retrieve the Prism of Light and restore color to Greece. By using reflection from his shield, he blinded the Cyclops. Then, by using refraction through crystal shards, he overwhelmed the monster with a burst of color, allowing him to retrieve the Prism. Light behaves in predictable ways—reflection bounces off surfaces, refraction bends light through transparent objects, and white light contains all colors. Hercules applied this knowledge to defeat the Cyclops and restore the Prism of Light to Greece.
finis
visible light/Seeing color
High School
Created on March 7, 2025
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Transcript
Hercules and the prism of light
LIght waves and the Eye
Physical Science
01
Look at the two photos. The top has a red light shining on the apple, the bottom has a green light shiningon the same apple
Research and Hypothesis
As Hercules traveled, he consulted philosophers and scholars who explained the nature of light. He learned that white light contains all the colors of the spectrum, and when passed through a prism, it separates into a rainbow of colors. With this knowledge, Hercules hypothesized that the Cyclops, with its single enormous eye, might struggle with bright light. If he could manipulate the properties of light—reflection, absorption, and refraction—he might have a chance to outwit the beast.
Open the Gizmo: Eyes and Vision 1-Seeing color
The Gizmo shows three colored lights. These colors are called the primary colors of light
The colors you see (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and violet) are called a spectrum. White light is actually a mixture of all colors. The prism separates white light into these colors, just like rain droplets separate sunlight into the colors of a rainbow
When light hits an object, several things can happen. If the object is transparent, like glass, the light will go right through it. If the light doesn’t pass through, it can either be reflected from the surface or it can be absorbed by the object
Question: Which light colors are absorbed by an object, and which colors are reflected?
Observe: Drag Red Riding Hood in the stand, and turn on the red light.
Turn off the red light and turn on the green light.
Predict: Think about what might happen if you did the same experiment with a blue book.
Hercules found the monstrous Cyclops guarding the Prism of Light. Using a polished bronze shield, Hercules positioned himself so that the incoming sunlight reflected directly into the Cyclops’ eye. The sudden burst of light temporarily blinded the monster, causing it to roar in pain.
Question: How do objects that are mixtures of colors absorb and reflect light?
Drag Goldilocks to the stand. Turn each light on and off
Observe: Select Show what the eye “sees” and turn on only the red light.
Hercules noticed a pile of shattered crystal near the cave’s entrance—perhaps remnants of the Prism’s original resting place. He quickly gathered several shards and arranged them in the path of the incoming sunlight. As the light passed through, it refracted into a dazzling rainbow, scattering colors across the cavern. The Cyclops, unable to process the sudden explosion of light and color, stumbled backward in confusion, covering its eye.
Predict: Predict the colors of light that will be absorbed and reflected by the cyan book and then the magenta book. (Hint: Cyan is blue-green and magenta is red-blue.)
Predict: Predict the colors of light that will be absorbed and reflected by the cyan book and then the magenta book. (Hint: Cyan is blue-green and magenta is red-blue.)
Hercules successfully used the properties of light to retrieve the Prism of Light and restore color to Greece. By using reflection from his shield, he blinded the Cyclops. Then, by using refraction through crystal shards, he overwhelmed the monster with a burst of color, allowing him to retrieve the Prism. Light behaves in predictable ways—reflection bounces off surfaces, refraction bends light through transparent objects, and white light contains all colors. Hercules applied this knowledge to defeat the Cyclops and restore the Prism of Light to Greece.
finis