Virtual Reflections with Pepper’s Ghost

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With simple reflection off a transparent surface, you can produce virtual images that look an awful lot like Holograms. The phenomenon is based on a theater trick from the 18th century that’s named after the man who made them famous, John Pepper – Pepper’s Ghost! Explore the STEM of this intriguing phenomena with your students!

Grade Range:
1 to 8

Duration
1/2 Hour – 1 Hour

Supplies

1 Reflect View, 1 Light Blox, a printed picture with a black background, a smartphone

NGSS Connections

PS4.B: Electromagnetic Radiation

  • Plan and conduct investigations to determine the effect of placing objects made with different materials in the path of a beam of light (1-PS4-3)
  • Develop and use a model to describe that waves are reflected, absorbed or transmitted through various materials (NGSS MS-PS4-2)