Newton’s disk, also known as Newton’s color wheel or Newton’s disc, is a fascinating scientific toy that demonstrates the phenomenon of color mixing and persistence of vision. It is named after Sir Isaac Newton, the renowned scientist who conducted significant research on optics and the behavior of light. Newton’s disk consists of a spinning disk with segments of different colors that merge to create a mesmerizing display of color when rotated at high speeds.
How to Make Newton’s Disk:
Materials Needed:
- Cardboard or foam board
- Ruler
- Compass or circular template
- Markers or colored pencils (in primary colors: red, blue, and yellow)
- Thumbtack or pin
- Spinning device (for example, an electric drill with a clamp or a toy top)
Instructions:
- Drawing the Disk:
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- Use the ruler and compass to draw a circle on the cardboard or foam board. The size of the circle can vary depending on the desired diameter of the disk.
- Divide the circle into six equal segments using the ruler. Make sure each segment is accurately spaced.
- Coloring the Segments:
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- Color each segment of the disk with one of the primary colors: red, blue, or yellow. Each segment should have a different primary color.
- Adding a Central Point:
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- Mark the center of the disk with a small dot. This point will serve as the axis of rotation.
- Preparing the Spinning Device:
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- If using an electric drill, attach the disk securely to the drill’s chuck using a clamp or another suitable attachment. Make sure the disk is centered and balanced.
- If using a toy top, fix the thumbtack or pin to the center of the disk. Place the top on a smooth, flat surface and spin it by winding the string or pulling the handle.
- Spinning the Disk:
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- Spin the disk using the spinning device (electric drill or toy top). Ensure that the disk rotates at a high speed.
- Observing the Color Mixing:
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- As the disk spins rapidly, the colors on each segment will blend together due to the persistence of vision. This creates the appearance of white light or a combination of colors, depending on the colors used on the segments.
Newton’s disk demonstrates how the human eye processes and perceives colors when they are presented in quick succession. The phenomenon of color mixing occurs due to the persistence of vision, where the retina retains an image for a short period even after it has disappeared from view. As a result, the colors on Newton’s disk blend together, creating an optical illusion of color mixing.
This simple yet intriguing experiment allows participants to witness the interaction of colors and gain insights into the fascinating world of optics and visual perception.
| STEM Concept | Explanation and Application |
| Science Concepts | |
| Color Mixing | Demonstrating how colors blend together on the spinning disk due to the phenomenon of persistence of vision. |
| Optics | Exploring the behavior of light and how the eye perceives colors and motion through the spinning disk experiment. |
| Persistence of Vision | Understanding the concept of how the retina retains an image for a short time after it disappears from view. |
| Technology Concepts | |
| Rotational Motion | Applying technology concepts to achieve rapid rotational motion of the disk using an electric drill or toy top. |
| Spinning Device | Understanding how technology tools, such as an electric drill, can be used to create the spinning motion of the disk. |
| Color Perception | Exploring how technology aids in observing color changes on the spinning disk and understanding visual perception. |
| Engineering Concepts | |
| Disk Design | Applying engineering principles to design and create a balanced and symmetrical disk for optimal color blending. |
| Stability and Balance | Ensuring the disk is securely attached to the spinning device to prevent wobbling and ensure smooth rotation. |
| Attachment Methods | Exploring engineering techniques to securely fix the disk to the spinning device using clamps or fasteners. |
| Mathematics Concepts | |
| Geometry | Understanding geometric principles while drawing and dividing the disk into equal segments for color placement. |
| Symmetry | Applying symmetry concepts to ensure that each segment of the disk has equal size and alignment. |
| Speed and Motion | Using mathematics to measure the rotational speed of the disk and analyze the motion of colors during rotation. |
| Patterns and Sequences | Analyzing patterns of color blending and the sequence of color combinations on the spinning disk. |
Newton’s Disk. Each concept can be further explored and expanded based on the age, understanding, and interests of the participants. The activity provides an interdisciplinary learning experience, incorporating scientific, technological, engineering, and mathematical concepts while offering an engaging visual demonstration of color mixing and persistence of vision. It encourages curiosity, observation, and understanding of the optical phenomena involved in the spinning disk experiment.