Activity Number 253
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	Overview and Learning Objectives
	Assessment
	Central Concepts
	Macro Micro Link
	Activity Credits
	Requirements

Liquid Crystals: LCD Displays

Interactive, scaffolded model

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	Overview and Learning Objectives Students discover the unique nature of liquid crystal molecules, effectively another state of matter, and how they behave in electric fields. They experiment with the effect of polarity of crystals, and the intensity and direction of electric fields on liquid crystals. Students will be able to: • explain how a liquid crystal relates to other states of matter; • draw or describe the behavior of liquid crystals in an electric field; • give an overview of how an LCD panel works. return to top



	Assessment http://www.concord.org/~barbara/workbench_web/pdf/LCD_assessment8.07bt.pdf A version of this assessment is found in the Activity section of Molecular Workbench. Rubric for scoring: http://www.concord.org/~barbara/workbench_web/pdf/LCD_assesmentRubric8.07bt.pdf return to top



	Central Concepts Key Concept: Molecules of a particular shape and charge, called liquid crystals, have unique optical properties that have proven useful in recent manufacturing processes. Additional Related Concepts return to top



	Macro Micro Link Links are made from molecules with particular properties to liquid crystal displays in computer monitors and flat panel televisions, thermometers, and even mood rings. return to top



	Activity Credits Created by CC: Molecular Literacy using Molecular Workbench + Pedagogica return to top



	Requirements Adobe Flash Plugin Java 1.4+ - Java 1.4+ is available for Windows, Linux, and Mac OS X 10.3 and greater. return to top

These materials are based upon work supported by the
National Science Foundation under grant number DUE-0402553

Any opinions, findings, and conclusions
or recommendations expressed in this material are those of
the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views
of the National Science Foundation.

Liquid Crystals: LCD Displays

Overview and Learning Objectives

Assessment

Central Concepts

Additional Related Concepts

Macro Micro Link

Activity Credits

Requirements