Brix??
Today I helped to measure the sugar content in kiwifruit still hanging on the vine. We do this once a week and we use the same fruit so that we record how the sugar content in the fruit increases over time.
We use a special machine like a torch and a computer in one and we test each fruit 15 times. Some very clever scientists have found out that we can use light that tries to go through a fruit and refracts (like in water - and kiwifruit is about 80% water!) to measure the Brix. (Brix is a scale. So if my fruit shows a Brix count of 4 it is not ready to be picked and eaten. 13-17 is much better and my fruit will taste sweeter and yummier!)
Who can tell me what refraction is? If you are a student of Te Puke Primary School, a surprise is waiting for you! Just answer in a comment.
That's a fancy looking device! You get to play with some cool tools :-)
ReplyDeleteYes, it is. Some very clever people around who design these machines.
DeleteHi Mrs Meyer
ReplyDeleteRoom 6 are looking forward to keeping in touch with your science adventures.
Mr P.
That will be great, Room 6. Thank you! I will have a question on Friday morning for the Future Force students only! Look out for this.
DeleteGage - Refraction is the bending of a wave.
ReplyDeleteGaurang - Refraction is the bending of light. It also happens with sound, water and other waves. Room 7
Oooh, Gage and Gaurang, you are so right!! See if you can do an easy experiment in class using a pencil and a glass beaker to see refraction. I will visit you during the week. Well done!
Delete