Sunscreen Effectiveness

UV Beads Experiment

Question

How will the increase in the UV radiation effect the color of the beads?

Materials

We will need a pack if UV beads that will changes color depending on the UV radiation. We should also purchase a camera to track how the beads change.

Hypothesis

We believe that the beads will change color drastically and not work when they come back to Earth.

Independent Variable: UV radiation

Dependent Variable: color changes on beads

Control Variable: Kind of beads (all same type)

Procedure.

1) Buy beads

2) Secure beads in box

3) Set up camera to record color changes in beads

To see if they changed color while in space, we will look at the video footage.

To see if the UV color change still works, use a UV ray lamp to determine

Explain how UV beads work.

UV-sensitive beads contain a unique pigment that changes color when exposed to ultra- violet light from the sun or other UV sources. The beads are not affected by visible light— they are chemically developed to only react to UV light and will remain white indoors or when shielded from UV light. https://www.stevespanglerscience.com/lab/experiments/uv-reactive-beads/

UVA Frequency:315-400 nm Long wavelength is about 95% of all UV radiation hitting Earth's surface. Can penetrate into deep skin tissue causing tanning, wrinkles, and even cancer

UVB Frequency: 280-315 nm Medium wavelength, but cannot penetrate into superficial of skin. Will cause delayed tanning and sunburn that can also result in skin damage.

UVC Frequency:180-280 nm Short wavelength but is the most damaging UV radiation. Is filtered by the atmosphere and does not reach the earth's surface.

The Data

Below are images from the video taken at 10 minute intervals. The GOPro only recorded data for 67 minutes. A file containing images taken every minute during the recorded flight can be found here,