New
New
Year 3

Reflected light: do and review

I can carry out and review an investigation to compare different materials based on how reflective they are.

New
New
Year 3

Reflected light: do and review

I can carry out and review an investigation to compare different materials based on how reflective they are.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. When light travels towards a surface and bounces off it, this is called reflected light.
  2. A data logger can be used to record the amount of light reflected from different surfaces in lux.
  3. The results of an investigation can be recorded in a table and used to make decisions about different materials.
  4. The best surfaces for reflecting light are very smooth, such as a glass mirror or polished metal.
  5. Scientists evaluate every stage of an investigation to suggest improvements.

Common misconception

All materials reflect the same amount of light.

Explanation that we can measure the differing amounts of light reflected by different materials.

Keywords

  • Reflect - To reflect light is when light hits a surface and bounces off.

  • Surface - The surface is the top or outside layer of something.

  • Result - The result of a test or enquiry is what happened or what was found out.

  • Evaluate - To evaluate is to think about what you did and suggest any changes or improvements.

  • Improvement - An improvement is when something gets better or when you make it better.

This lesson follows on from the Reflected light: plan lesson. Pupils will need their plans to complete their investigations into how much light is reflected by different materials. Make the room as dark as possible while pupils are testing materials.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Rulers, data loggers, torches, materials: white card, black card, foil, baking paper, plastic bag, cotton fabric, mirror, laminated paper.

Content guidance

  • Exploration of objects

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Loading...

6 Questions

Q1.
When light is reflected, it ...
An image in a quiz
hits a surface and creates a shadow.
Correct answer: hits a surface and bounces off.
hits a surface and disappears.
Q2.
Which of these is a light source?
Correct answer: the Sun
Correct answer: a TV
the Moon
Earth
Correct answer: a torch
Q3.
Which of these is needed to reflect light?
An image in a quiz
Correct answer: a surface
a ruler
a shadow
Correct answer: a light source
Q4.
Which word describes a surface that sends back most of the light that shines on it?
An image in a quiz
Correct Answer: reflective
Q5.
Which of these can we use to record how much light there is?
a stopwatch
a measuring cylinder
Correct answer: a data logger
Q6.
Light is measured in ...
An image in a quiz
tux.
Correct answer: lux.
flux.
Q4 Jarhe Photography/Shutterstock

6 Questions

Q1.
What is reflected light?
An image in a quiz
Light that has travelled through a material.
Light that has been absorbed by a material.
Correct answer: Light that has bounced off a surface.
Q2.
What do we use to measure the amount of light?
a thermometer
Correct answer: a light sensor
a ruler
Q3.
What are the results of an investigation?
An image in a quiz
A plan for an investigation.
How you will do an investigation.
Correct answer: The data you collected during an investigation.
Q4.
The results below have been recorded in a .....
An image in a quiz
gragh.
diagram.
chart.
Correct answer: table.
Q5.
What kind of materials reflect the most light?
An image in a quiz
Correct answer: Very smooth materials such as mirrors.
Very dark materials such as black card.
Very dull materials such as baking paper.
Q6.
What do scientists do when they evaluate an investigation?
An image in a quiz
They do the whole investigation again.
Correct answer: They suggest ways to improve it.
They choose a different question to answer.

Additional material

Download additional material
We're sorry, but preview is not currently available. Download to see additional material.