What is light and where does it come from?

In this lesson, we are going to be learning about light. We are going to learn about what light is, where it comes from and how shadows are formed. We are going to complete an investigation into how light behaves with transparent, translucent and opaque objects. If you would like to take part in the practical investigation you will need: a light source (e.g. lamp, torch or phone light), a piece of paper, a piece of cardboard and a piece of something transparent (e.g. clear plastic). If you do not have these items you can still complete the lesson by watching the teacher's demonstration.

What is light and where does it come from?

In this lesson, we are going to be learning about light. We are going to learn about what light is, where it comes from and how shadows are formed. We are going to complete an investigation into how light behaves with transparent, translucent and opaque objects. If you would like to take part in the practical investigation you will need: a light source (e.g. lamp, torch or phone light), a piece of paper, a piece of cardboard and a piece of something transparent (e.g. clear plastic). If you do not have these items you can still complete the lesson by watching the teacher's demonstration.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Define light and dark
  2. Describe different light sources
  3. Test transparent, translucent and opaque materials

Licence

This content is made available by Oak National Academy Limited and its partners and licensed under Oak’s terms & conditions (Collection 1), except where otherwise stated.

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4 Questions

Q1.
What is light?
Correct answer: a form of energy that travels in a straight line from a light source
the absence of dark
Q2.
What is dark?
any object that produces light
Correct answer: the absence of light
Q3.
Transparent object is one where...
Correct answer: All light passes through
No light passes through
Some light passes through
Q4.
How is a shadow created?
When light bounces off a reflective object
Correct answer: When light is blocked by an opaque object

Lesson appears in

UnitScience / Light

Science