Instructional Video

Why Aren't Plants Black?

Curated and Reviewed by Lesson Planet

In an evolutionary sense, plants seem to have it all figured out. But, do they really? The narrator of an engaging physics video that is part of a larger series questions the predominant color of plants in a short video. Content includes the sun's colorful mixture of wavelengths, how much green light plants reflect, and how different Earth might look if evolution decided that black was the new green.

6 Views 4 Downloads
CCSS: Adaptable
Additional Tags
Instructional Ideas
  • Use the video to expand on a lesson about photosynthesis and chlorophyll
  • Group pupils and ask them to design a research project that explores plant leaf color and rate of photosynthesis in different types of light
Classroom Considerations
  • Talk for a moment about the visible spectrum, as well as reflection and absorption of light, to be sure pupils are up to speed on the topics
  • This video is hosted on YouTube
Pros
  • From physics to biology, the video has something captivating for all science audiences
  • The on-camera interviews of random people are funny and interesting
Cons
  • None
Common Core