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Description

Space suits need to block out as much uv light as possible to protect astronauts from harmful rays.
This experiment tests various materials to see which ones are best at blocking out uv radiation (any materials can be tested, but different colours of cellophane can be used to discuss the visor in a space suit).

(Adaptation of the Royal Society of Chemistry's Global Experiment 'Mission Starlight. Full experiment and resources here: https://edu.rsc.org/resources/mission-starlight/2073.article)

Resources

- uv active pony beads (easily accessible from a craft shop)
- uv torches/nail lamps (whilst LED torches are low risk, participants should be warned not to look into the torches)
- Materials to test (e.g. different textiles, different coloured cellophanes, you can even test different factors of sunscreens!)
- Colour chart for the uv beads (see https://edu.rsc.org/resources/mission-starlight/2073.article, or attached to this)

Instructions

1. Hold the torch over the beads and test how long it takes for them to get as darkly coloured as possible (5-10seconds). This time will be the 'test time'.
2. Select a material to test and lay over the beads. Shine the torch on the beads, through the material for the 'test time'
3. Quickly compare the colour of the beads to the colour chart and note the score (the beads go back to colourless pretty fast so you need to be on this!)
4. Once the beads are back to colourless (or use a new set of beads), test the next material
5. Discuss the results.

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Badge Links

• Experiment - Experiment
• Space - Mission