Lesson Plan: Why is the sky blue? And sunsets red?

Grade level: 7th

California Common Core Standard: Earth Science
Physical Principles in Living Systems (Physical Sciences)
6. Physical principles underlie biological structures and functions. As a basis for understanding
this concept:
Students know visible light is a small band within a very broad electromagnetic
spectrum.
Students know that for an object to be seen, light emitted by or scattered from it
must be detected by the eye.
Students know that white light is a mixture of many wavelengths (colors) and that
retinal cells react differently to different wavelengths.
Investigation and Experimentation
Scientific progress is made by asking meaningful questions and conducting careful
investigations. As a basis for understanding this concept and addressing the content
in the other three strands, students should develop their own questions and perform
investigations.
Objective:
The objective is to show the effects of light scattering by particles.
Material:
sunshine egg
A white light flashlight
Note: In order for this experiment to work a sunset egg is crucial. The small-scale structure of
these glass eggs works well to demonstrate the differential scattering that leads to the color of
the sky and the color of the sunset.
Procedure:
1. Place a white light at one end of the sunset egg. Look at the light that comes out the side of the
egg.
2. This is the scattered light; notice its color. This blue is the blue of the sky.
3. Next, look at the light that goes through the egg. This is the transmitted light. Meaning, all of
the light that isnt scattered. Whats left when you remove the short wavelengths? Reddish light!
Analysis: Blue light has a shorter wave length. When it hits air molecules, some of it is absorbed
and is reradiated, or scattered in a different direction, causing the predominant blue color of the
sky. The oranges and reds of the white light have a longer wavelength. When the sun is on the
horizon, at sunset or sunrise, the light takes a longer path to reach our eyes. Most of the blues
have been scattered out of the light and we can now perceive reds and oranges.
4. Try the light on the other end of the egg, or on the eggs side. What do you notice now?
Note: Ask your students how they would use this experiment to explain blue skies and red
sunsets.
5. Try different white light sources. Depending on the tint and the intensity of the light, you
should get some attention-grabbing variations.