Heat-sensitive liquid crystal sheets are available in a variety of sizes and temperature ranges. Purchase a class set of hand-held sheets and color half of each with a silver permanent marking pen. Learners of light can hold them under a lamp and see that light is converted into thermal energy and that there is no change under the silver half since light is reflected away. 

Concepts

energy transfer, energy, thermal energy, absorption, heat, light

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Additional Tags

heat, thermal energy, liquid crystal, light, reflection, absorption, energy transfer, science

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Pros

• Liquid crystal sheets are fun to play with and thoroughly demonstrate the concept
• In addition to an explanation of what is happening in regard to energy, there is an enriching explanation of how liquid crystals work

Cons

• None