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Make a UV Detector
New activity
Use tonic water to make an ultraviolet light detector!
Open Activity
How-to Video
Family Take-home Activity
A take-home that can be sent with patrons that wish to do STEM activities at home. These at-home activities cover similar topic areas as the associated activity and could be handed out at the conclusion of a program or left on a circulation desk for patrons to take home.
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Rating
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Reviews
Probably more effective with a black light
While this is a quick and easy experiment, the results in sunlight weren't spectacular enough to warrant a repeat. It was extremely hard to see any difference in color between tap water and the tonic water. In very bright sunlight, at high altitude (Colorado,) and with the black paper beside them, the tonic water had a very slight bluish-white haze, while the tap water leaned a little more yellowish. With assistance, students saw a minimal difference, but without the extra guidance, I think it would have gone unnoticed.
I think with a UV light in a dark space, the results could be significantly more impressive, and lend themselves to good discussion. Sadly, with the sun alone, it just wasn't convincing enough to elicit conclusions.