Extensions in pen ink dosimetry: ultraviolet calibration applications for primary and secondary schools

Downs, Nathan and Parisi, Alfio and Powell, Samantha and Brennan, Chris and Turner, Joanna (2010) Extensions in pen ink dosimetry: ultraviolet calibration applications for primary and secondary schools. Teaching Science: The Journal of the Australian Science Teachers Association, 56 (1). pp. 51-56. ISSN 1449-6313

Preview	PDF (Accepted Version) Downs_Parisi_Powell_Brennan_AV.pdf Download (276Kb)
Preview	PDF (Published Version) Downs_etal_TS_v56n1_PV.pdf Download (741Kb)

Abstract

A technique has previously been described for secondary school-aged children to make ultraviolet (UV) dosimeters from highlighter pen ink drawn onto strips of paper. This technique required digital comparison of exposed ink paper strips with unexposed ink paper strips to determine a simple calibration function relating the degree of ink fading to measured levels of UV exposure. In this article, the ink calibration process is discussed in relation to activities that can be performed by primary school-aged children. Further extension of the technique is discussed in relation to UV absorption by various transparent materials, and a simple exercise is explained that could be used by primary and secondary students to measure and calibrate UV exposures using a glass plate dosimeter.

Statistics for this ePrint Item

Item Type:	Article (Commonwealth Reporting Category C)
Refereed:	Yes
Item Status:	Live Archive
Additional Information:	Deposited with blanket permission of the publisher.
Depositing User:	Dr Nathan Downs
Faculty / Department / School:	Historic - Faculty of Sciences - Department of Biological and Physical Sciences
Date Deposited:	12 Jul 2010 04:18
Last Modified:	29 Oct 2014 23:49
Uncontrolled Keywords:	ultraviolet; ink; calibration; science education
Fields of Research :	13 Education > 1303 Specialist Studies in Education > 130306 Educational Technology and Computing 02 Physical Sciences > 0299 Other Physical Sciences > 029999 Physical Sciences not elsewhere classified 13 Education > 1302 Curriculum and Pedagogy > 130212 Science, Technology and Engineering Curriculum and Pedagogy
Socio-Economic Objective:	E Expanding Knowledge > 97 Expanding Knowledge > 970102 Expanding Knowledge in the Physical Sciences
URI:	http://eprints.usq.edu.au/id/eprint/7065

Actions (login required)

Archive Repository Staff Only