Flag game
STEAM EXERCISE
Related exercises: Colours of objects through coloured filters and Colours of objects under coloured light beams
Details:
Ages: 10-12 +
Time: 25 minutes
Learning Outcome: Identify flags from different countries seen through different coloured filters.
Colour Concept: Coloured filters absorb certain wavelengths and transmit others. When we look at objects through a coloured filter, the colour of the object can change, because not all wavelengths of light normally reflected by the object when illuminated by white light will be able to reach our eye.
Materials:
Instructions:
A filter allows some but not all wavelengths to pass through it, so when we look through a coloured filter, our world changes colour. For example. A red filter allows the longer wavelengths to pass through while blocking or absorbing the shorter wavelengths. When we look at objects that reflect or transmit long wavelengths, we can see them as having a reddish colour. But if we look at objects which reflect or transmit short wavelengths, they appear blackish in colour as no light passes through the filter.
An example is shown in Figure 1, which shows an image of the flag of South Africa, and images of the flag taken through taken through blue, green and red filters. Notice and describe how each colour appears as it is viewed through each of the filters.
Figure 1. South African flag
Viewing flag through blue filter
Viewing flag through green filter
Viewing flag through red filter
Fill out the Handout: TABLE- Preparation for the Flag Game to document the colours you see through each filter, to help you prepare for the Flag Game.
In the Flag Game, you will look at images of coloured flags taken through red, green and blue filters, and try to guess which flags are shown.
Flag Game
The top left figure below shows you images of coloured flags. Four of those flags have been chosen and labelled A, B, C and D in the remaining images. Each image is taken with a different coloured filter. Guess which country’s flag is shown in A, B, C and D. Use the Handout: TABLE- Preparation for the Flag Game to help you guess the correct colour in each flag’s area.
Download Handout: Flag Game
