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![]() Lens Science: Exploring Light with Gelatin Lenses
written by
Rebecca E. Vieyra
sub author: Caroline Hall
This lesson blends physics, geometric optics, and biology as students explore light refraction through convex and concave "lenses" made of clear gelatin. The activity promotes understanding of four key concepts: 1) convex lenses cause light to converge, while concave cause divergence; 2) Focal length can be determined from the convergence point of a convex lens; 3) Ray diagrams provide a geometric way to depict the path of light through a transparent object; and 4) The malleable gelatin lenses can model the function of the human eye.
This AAPT Lesson Plan was inspired by two articles in The Physics Teacher magazine: "Edible Optics: Using Gelatin to Demonstrate Properties of Light" by Patrick Bunton, and "Construction of Optical Elements with Gelatin" by Mario Branca and Isabella Soletta. ![]() by R. Vieyra and C. Hall download 512kb .pdf Published: January 8, 2017 Released under a CC Noncommercial-Share Alike license. previous versions ![]() by R. Vieyra and C. Hall Teacher's Guide: Modifiable Word document: Customize and Print Your Lesson download 4873kb .docx Published: October 10, 2017 Released under a CC Noncommercial-Share Alike license. ![]() by R. Vieyra and C. Hall Student Worksheet: Modifiable Word document Background information and problem set download 4230kb .docx Published: October 10, 2017 Released under a CC Noncommercial-Share Alike license.
Next Generation Science StandardsWaves and Their Applications in Technologies for Information Transfer (HS-PS4)
Students who demonstrate understanding can: (9-12)
Disciplinary Core Ideas (K-12)
Wave Properties (PS4.A)
Electromagnetic Radiation (PS4.B)
Crosscutting Concepts (K-12)
Patterns (K-12)
Structure and Function (K-12)
NGSS Science and Engineering Practices (K-12)
Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions (K-12)
Developing and Using Models (K-12)
Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information (K-12)
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![]() <a href="https://psrc.aapt.org/items/detail.cfm?ID=14298">Vieyra, Rebecca E.. "Lens Science: Exploring Light with Gelatin Lenses." 2017.</a>
![]() R. Vieyra, , 2016, WWW Document, (https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=14298&DocID=4649).
![]() R. Vieyra, Lens Science: Exploring Light with Gelatin Lenses, 2016, <https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=14298&DocID=4649>.
![]() Vieyra, R. (2016). Lens Science: Exploring Light with Gelatin Lenses. Retrieved February 10, 2025, from https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=14298&DocID=4649
![]() Vieyra, Rebecca E.. "Lens Science: Exploring Light with Gelatin Lenses." 2017. https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=14298&DocID=4649 (accessed 10 February 2025).
![]() Vieyra, Rebecca E.. Lens Science: Exploring Light with Gelatin Lenses. 2016. 10 Feb. 2025 <https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=14298&DocID=4649>.
![]() @techreport{
Author = "Rebecca E. Vieyra",
Title = {Lens Science: Exploring Light with Gelatin Lenses},
Month = {January},
Year = {2017}
}
![]() %A Rebecca E. Vieyra %T Lens Science: Exploring Light with Gelatin Lenses %D January 8, 2017 %U https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=14298&DocID=4649 %O application/pdf ![]() %0 Report %A Vieyra, Rebecca E. %D January 8, 2017 %T Lens Science: Exploring Light with Gelatin Lenses %8 January 8, 2017 %U https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=14298&DocID=4649 Disclaimer: ComPADRE offers citation styles as a guide only. We cannot offer interpretations about citations as this is an automated procedure. Please refer to the style manuals in the Citation Source Information area for clarifications.
Citation Source Information
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