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You are here: Home / Learn / Science / Rainbow Science for Kids: Homemade Spectroscope

January 26, 2016 By Chelsey

Rainbow Science for Kids: Homemade Spectroscope

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Make a homemade spectroscope with a few simple materials and explore the spectrum of different light sources. You’ll see all kinds of rainbows! This science activity for kids makes a great addition to a unit on light or weather and is perfect for St. Patrick’s Day too!

Follow our Science for Kids Pinterest board!

 

Rainbow Science for Kids: Homemade Spectroscope using a paper towel roll and a CD. Such a fun way to explore light! ~ BuggyandBuddy.com

 

Light experiments are always fun, especially when they involve rainbows!  In this science activity kids will make their own spectroscope- an instrument used to split light into different wavelengths, which we see as different colors of the rainbow. (This post contains affiliate links.)

Be sure to check out our other light experiments for kids:

Exploring Prisms

Rainbow Reflections

Exploring Reflections in Mirrors

 

How to Make a Homemade Spectroscope

Materials for Homemade Spectroscope

  • Empty paper towel roll
  • Craft knife and/or scissors
  • Blank or old CD
  • Pencil
  • Small piece of cardboard or cardstock
  • Tape
  • Paint (optional)

 

Making a Homemade Spectroscope

1. If you’ll be painting your paper towel roll, you’ll want to do that first and let it dry. (This step isn’t necessary, but it’s hard for us to pass up an opportunity to paint something!)

2. Use a craft knife (an adult should do this) to cut a thin slit at a 45° angle toward the bottom of the cardboard tube.

cut a thin strip in your homemade spectroscope

 

3. Directly across from the slit, make a small peephole or viewing hole using your craft knife (another step for an adult).

cut a viewing hole or peephole in your homemade spectroscope

 

4. Trace one end of your paper towel roll onto your small scrap of cardboard or cardstock. Cut it out.

5. Cut a straight slit right across the center of your cardboard circle.

6. Tape the circle to the top of your spectroscope.

 

make the top of your homemade spectroscope

 

7. Insert the CD into your 45° angled slit with the shiny side facing up.

 

Rainbow Science for Kids: Homemade Spectroscope using a paper towel roll and a CD. Such a fun way to explore light! ~ BuggyandBuddy.com

 

Using the Homemade Spectroscope

Start by taking your spectroscope outside. Point the top slit up at the sky (NOT directly at the sun). Look through the peephole. You will see a rainbow inside!

 

Rainbow Science for Kids: Homemade Spectroscope using a paper towel roll and a CD. Such a fun way to explore light! ~ BuggyandBuddy.com

Now try your spectroscope with other light sources like fluorescent light, neon light and candle light. Compare what you see!

 

What’s going on?

A CD is a mirrored surface with spiral tracks or pits. These tracks are evenly spaced and diffract light (separating the colors). Because the CD’s surface is mirrored, the light is reflected to your eye.

 

Rainbow Science for Kids: Homemade Spectroscope using a paper towel roll and a CD. Such a fun way to explore light! ~ BuggyandBuddy.com

 

See More Science Activities Here!


 

 


 

Be sure to check out all our science activities for kids!

science activities and experiments for kids

 


 

Be sure to check out STEAM Kids book and ebook for even more creative STEM and STEAM ideas!

STEAM Kids: 50+ STEAM STEM activities for kids

 

Filed Under: Elementary, Science, St. Patrick's Day Tagged With: cardboard tube, cd, light, rainbow, science

« 15 Elmer the Elephant Activities for Kids
Rainbow Science: Creating Light Patterns with a CD »
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Welcome to Buggy and Buddy! I'm Chelsey, a former teacher and parent living on the central coast of California. I love sharing crafts, science, STEM and STEAM activities, free printables and more! Read More…

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