7.0+Parent+Involvement

Parent Involvement Activity - Remote Control Exploring At Home - [[file:Parent Involvement.doc]]
REMOTE CONTROL: EXPLORING AT HOME

Dear Parents, Your child is involved in a fun science unit about Energy. We are currently studying light energy. Please help your child carry out the activity below. It should be interesting to find out the difference between infrared radiation and visible light! If I can help with any of the materials listed below, let me know right away. This assignment is due in one week.

Many remote control units for television sets use infrared radiation rather than visible light for operation. You can observe the difference between infrared radiation and visible light with a television, a remote control and a flashlight.

Television and remote control Flashlight Cornstarch or baby powder Glass of clear water
 * Materials:**


 * Procedure:**
 * 1) Clear the path between you and the television.
 * 2) Make the room as dark as possible.
 * 3) Stand about 3 meters away from the TV and test the remote control.
 * 4) Shine the flashlight against the darkened TV to test its light.
 * 5) Have your family member stand between you and the TV.
 * 6) Shine the flashlight at the darkened TV. Record the results.
 * 7) Operate the remote control with your family member in front of the TV. Record the results.
 * 8) Have your family member blow some cornstarch into the air between you and the TV. Aim the flashlight at the darkened TV. Record the result.
 * 9) Have your family member blow some more cornstarch into the air and try to turn on the TV with the remote control. Record the result.
 * 10) Place the glass of water between you and the TV. Try the flashlight and then try the remote control. Record the results.
 * 11) Hold the flashlight in one hand and place your other hand between you and the TV at several distances and angles. Turn the flashlight on and record the results.
 * 12) Hold the remote in one hand and place your other hand between the remote and the TV at several distances and angles. Try to operate the remote and record the results.


 * Conclusions:** Talk with your family member and come up with the answers together!
 * 1) Which objects blocked the visible light from the flashlight?
 * 2) Which objects blocked the infrared radiation from the remote control?
 * 3) What have you learned about infrared radiation?