Spec Lab I    Exploring the ALTA Reflectance Spectrometer

Your Task
             Learn the parts of the ALTA Reflectance Spectrometer, learn about how it is used, and learn how a physical property (color)  can be measured.

Materials

One color group of 10 objects                      Lesson 1 Data Sheet
1 ALTA Spectrometer                                   Lesson 1 Graph Template 1

1.  Work with your partner.   You have 15 minutes. Each person  must do a data sheet and graph.

2.  Draw lines to the parts of the ALTA Reflectance Spectrometer:  (on the right, make a small drawing of the back, and label it)      colored lamps,  photo-detector,  digitizer/,  push  buttons
 

digital display       push  buttons

FRONT

colored lamps     photo-detector

.  .   .  .  BACK  .   .  ..  ..

3. What is the general color of your object group?  _______________________
 

4.  Arrange the objects in your color group in order of increasing brightness or lightness.  Write the names on the list on the data sheet.
 

5.  For each object, measure the brightness using the ALTA spectrometer.
    a.  Put the ALTA spectrometer on the object, with the switch pads and display facing up, and the hole facing the object.
    b.  Press and hold down the switch pad on the ALTA that turns on the lamp of your group's color.
    c.  On the data sheet, write down the display number (with the switch held down) for the object on the same line as the object name.
 

6.  Make a graph of your results on the graph template.
    a.  First write the name of each object, from dark to bright, on the spaces along the bottom of the graph.
    b.  Then, for each object, make a bar that extends up to ti's display number reading from the data sheet.

7.  Discussion:  Do lighter -colored objects show higher numbers (greater reflectance) ?  Does the ALTA measure the same kind of 'lightness' as your eyes do?  (write your answers here)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

8. TEAMWAVE
Go into your TeamWave room  Who's your partner now?  Click here:  [  Green Team   ]  [ Blue Team  ]
Leave a quiz question for your partner.   Use both words and drawing to ask a question related to this lab activity.
Watch for a question from your partners.....  respond to them in a different color.