Beads that change colour in ultra violet light.
How it works
Light travels in a wave. Dierent types of light have dierent wavelengths. UV beads are created with a special pigment that only reacts to the wavelength of ultraviolet (UV) light. Ultraviolet light is given o by the sun, but it is invisible to the human eye.
Try this at home
- Use your UV bead necklace or keychain to monitor UV levels outside. If your beads are changing colour you should probably put on some sunscreen!
- Try putting sunscreen on your beads, or try blocking the sun with dierent materials. Which is most eective at blocking harmful UV rays?
Definitions/glossary
- Ultraviolet Light: a form of light that causes sunburn and is invisible to the human eye.
- Wavelength: the distance between crests (highest points) of a wave.
- Physics: The discipline of science that studies the laws of matter and their interactions with energy.
What's going on in Waterloo
At the Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics, scientists are looking for answers about our universe; from the very largest to the very smallest. Sometimes the simplest questions lead us to the most profound insights!
How to become a physicist
The first step to becoming a physics student is to graduate from high school with the required math, science, and english courses. After high school, you will attend a post-secondary program. Physics students at Waterloo explore, investigate, and discover the natural laws and processes of non-living matter.