A practical science investigation for middle school students: designing a simple cost effective chemical solar radiation dosimeter
Article
Article Title | A practical science investigation for middle school students: designing a simple cost effective chemical solar radiation dosimeter |
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ERA Journal ID | 22303 |
Article Category | Article |
Authors | Downs, Nathan, Larsen, Kim, Parisi, Alfio, Schouten, Peter and Brennan, Chris |
Journal Title | Teaching Science: The Journal of the Australian Science Teachers Association |
Journal Citation | 58 (1), pp. 48-51 |
Number of Pages | 4 |
Year | 2012 |
Publisher | Australian Science Teachers Association |
Place of Publication | Canberra, Australia |
ISSN | 1442-5556 |
1449-6313 | |
1839-2946 | |
Web Address (URL) | http://www.asta.edu.au/resources/teachingscience |
Abstract | A practical exercise for developing a simple cost-effective solar ultraviolet radiation dosimeter is presented for use by middle school science students. Specifically, this exercise investigates a series of experiments utilising the historical blue print reaction, combining ammonium iron citrate and potassium hexacyanoferrate to develop an ultraviolet sensitive solution. The activity is intended for implementation into courses of study based on the new Australian science curriculum, and the strand Chemical reactions matter. The activity investigates rates of reaction and examines the influence of an invisible physical catalyst, solar radiation. The developed photochemical dye was tested for use as a solar dosimeter by painting or soaking various common materials with the solution. A soaked cloth dosimeter was determined to be the most practically appropriate. Its use as a 'magic cloth' or polyethylene filtered ultraviolet radiation dosimeter, capable of being calibrated to incoming solar radiation is discussed. The exercise is presented as a practical guide that can be followed by middle school aged science students beginning studies in physics, chemistry or the environment. The experiment may also be extended and applied to senior chemistry investigations. |
Keywords | dosimeter, UV, science teaching, ultraviolet, senior chemistry |
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020 | 519999. Other physical sciences not elsewhere classified |
390113. Science, technology and engineering curriculum and pedagogy | |
Public Notes | File reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher/author. |
Byline Affiliations | Department of Biological and Physical Sciences |
Faculty of Sciences | |
Griffith University | |
Department of Education, Queensland | |
Institution of Origin | University of Southern Queensland |
https://research.usq.edu.au/item/q1w66/a-practical-science-investigation-for-middle-school-students-designing-a-simple-cost-effective-chemical-solar-radiation-dosimeter
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