New
New
Year 3

Shadow size: plan

I can make a plan to investigate how the size of shadows can change.

New
New
Year 3

Shadow size: plan

I can make a plan to investigate how the size of shadows can change.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Shadows are formed when the light from a light source is blocked by an object.
  2. The size of a shadow changes depending on the distance of an object from the light source.
  3. Scientists ask questions and then plan how to carry out the right type of investigation to find answers.
  4. A fair test investigation is when only one thing is changed and another is measured. All other things are kept the same.

Common misconception

The size of a shadow does not change.

Explanation of how the size of shadows can be changed.

Keywords

  • Shadow - A shadow is a dark shape that is formed when an object blocks a source of light.

  • Light source - Something that is a light source produces its own light.

  • Object - An object is something you can touch but something that is not usually a living thing.

  • Distance - Distance is how far away something is or how far an object has travelled.

Make the classroom as dark as possible for Task A. Creating shadows against a blank wall makes it easier to observe how they change.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Torches, variety of objects to make shadows, e.g. book, pencil, ruler.

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).

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6 Questions

Q1.
What happens when light falls on some objects?
An image in a quiz
A dark shape is formed between the light source and the object.
A dark shape is formed on the other side of the light source.
Correct answer: A dark shape is formed on the other side of the object.
Q2.
What is a shadow?
An image in a quiz
Correct answer: A dark shape that is formed when an object blocks light.
A dark shape that is formed when an object blocks heat.
A dark shape that is formed when an object blocks water.
Q3.
Which of these statements is correct?
An image in a quiz
Opaque materials allow all light to pass through them.
Opaque materials allow some light to pass through them.
Correct answer: Opaque materials do not allow light to pass through them.
Q4.
What is a light source?
An image in a quiz
A light source is something that produces its own food.
Correct answer: A light source is something that produces its own light.
A light source is something that produces its own heat.
Q5.
The shape of a shadow depends on the of the object.
An image in a quiz
Correct Answer: shape
Q6.
Which of these images shows the shadow of a mug?
image 1
Correct answer: image 2
image 3
Q2 Amy Johansson/Shutterstock

6 Questions

Q1.
How are shadows formed?
An image in a quiz
Shadows are formed when water is blocked by an object.
Correct answer: Shadows are formed when light is blocked by an object.
Shadows are formed when heat is blocked by an object.
Q2.
Which of these is a light source?
Correct answer: the Sun
the Moon
a mirror
Correct answer: a torch
Q3.
True or false? The size of a shadow does not change.
An image in a quiz
Correct Answer: false
Q4.
The size of a shadow changes depending on ...
An image in a quiz
the brightness of the light source.
Correct answer: the distance of the object from the light source.
the size of the light source.
Q5.
Why do scientists plan investigations?
An image in a quiz
to test things
to record results
Correct answer: to answer questions
Q6.
A fair test investigation ...
An image in a quiz
Correct answer: involves changing one thing and measuring another.
involves changing lots of things.
involves keeping everything the same.