UV Lamp Demonstration Device

Materials: UV lamp, fluorescent minerals, night-light, switched extension cord, plywood, small screws, glue, tie downs, UV beads from Educational Innovations Company.

Building Instructions: The enclosure can be any size you’d like. Remember that one side must open to allow placement of specimens. Top should have small opening for the UV lamp and allow the cord to go inside to provide power to the night-light. Viewing port should be angled so no one can look directly at the UV lamp.

Function and Use: Ultraviolet radiation (UV) is another form of electromagnetic radiation. This box contains samples of mineral and special beads that are sensitive to UV. If you look at the objects in the box, the colors change to very bright colors, showing that UV light is present. Next to the box is a switch that you can use to turn on a small light so you can see what the samples look like without the UV – you can see quite a difference. Be sure to turn the switch back off for the next person. The beads that are next to the box change color as well but can detect even the small amount of UV in sunlight. Placing the beads in sunlight changes them from white to very bright colors. Compare the sunlit beads with ones in a box hidden from the sunlight.