SCIENCE LESSON PLAN

TEACHER: Kevon Peterson

SCHOOL: Fatima College

DATE:

CLASS: Form 4

TIME: 80 minutes Periods:

UNIT: REFRACTION OF LIGHT

LESSON TOPIC: Dispersion of light

REFERENCES (Include page numbers. Avoid using the student’s class textbook).

Physics for CSEC Examinations, John Avison, Louise Petheram, David Henry and Devinesh Neeranjan

PRE REQUISITES

Knowledge:- students should know:

1. What is the refraction of light

2. Visible light is part of the electromagnetic spectrum.

Skill:- students should know how to:

1. Draw ray diagrams

School of Education, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine.

Page 1 of 5
 MATERIALS & RESOURCES
For Teacher For each group/student

Multimedia Notes/activity sheet

Glass prisms
White sheets of paper
White circular boards
Colour pencils
String.

CONCEPT OR PRINCIPLE

Light travels like an electromagnetic wave and therefore, falls in the electromagnetic spectrum as visible light.
Within this spectrum visible light encompasses the range of colours referred to as the spectrum of colours. Each
colour has its own wavelength and frequency causing them to refract at different angles. Dispersion is the
splitting of white light into the spectrum of colours it is comprises when it undergoes refraction. This is
necessary for the students to understand how we live in a world of colour, and how rainbows are formed.

Misconception / Alternate Ideas:

Rainbows are the reflections of the ground in the sky.

School of Education, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine.

Page 2 of 5
 SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES

At the end of this lesson, students should be able to : Classification Learning Type

1. Define the term dispersion of light Remembering

2. List the colours of the spectrum in order of wavelength and

Cognitive Remembering
frequency

3. Demonstrate, the dispersion of light using a prism. Applying

4. Identify everyday examples of dispersion. Understand

5. Appreciate the fact that the light from the sun is actually a
Affective
combination of multiple colours.

6. Construct the Newton’s disc to show the recombining of

Psychomotor
the colours of the spectrum.

PROCESS SKILLS
Identifying/formulating a problem 0
Designing and Planning an experimental procedure 0
Setting-up and executing experimental work 0
Observing and measuring 0
Recording of data and observations 1
Interpreting and evaluating data and observations 1
Communicating scientific ideas, observations and arguments 1
Applying scientific ideas and methods to solve qualitative and quantitative problems 0
Decision-making on examination of evidence and arguments 0
Extracting from available information data relevant to a particular situation 0

School of Education, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine.

Page 3 of 5
Introduction:
Teacher present an image of a rainbow to the students and ask the questions related to its existence, formation
and myths
Teacher ask further questions in efforts to identify the conditions needed for the rainbow to be formed, which
are: Light and raindrops.
Transitional statement:
Teacher describes the process by which rainbows are formed as the dispersion of light and introduces this as the
topic of the lesson.

Development:
Teacher recalls the definition refraction of light
Teacher shows the similarity between a monochromatic light ray refracting through a prism and raindrop
Teacher provides each student with a triangular glass prism and white sheet of paper and carries them in the
sunlight.
Teacher instructs students to lay the prism on the sheet of paper and position so that dispersion takes place and
the spectrum of colours forms on the paper.
Students are asked to identify each colour in the order it is formed.
Teacher explains that the order of the colour is dependent on the wavelength and frequency of the colour.
Teacher explains that the difference in the wavelength and frequency results in the splitting and spreading of the
colours.
Teacher provides the students with white paper wheel and colour pencils and instructs the student to recreate
Newton’s disc.
Teacher explains that colours of the spectrum can recombines
Consolidation:

Teacher recaps the notes covered

Teacher gives students a sheet with a light ray entering a triangular glass prism and ask the students to complete
the path of the light ray and label the rays, the normal and the angles.
On completion of the diagram teacher provides the students with a triangular glass prism to verify their
drawing.

School of Education, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine.

Page 4 of 5
TEACHER’S EVALUATION OF LESSONS

TUTOR'S COMMENTS

School of Education, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine.

Page 5 of 5