A pinhole camera
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain how light passes through a pinhole to produce an image in a pinhole camera.
Key learning points
- A pinhole camera is an empty, closed box with a tiny hole on the front face and a screen on the back face.
- Light moves in straight lines from a light source, through the pinhole, to the screen at the back of a pinhole camera.
- Light from each different point on the object falls on a different single point on the screen, forming the image.
- The image produced by a pinhole camera is dim and inverted. Adding more holes produces multiple images.
- Making the hole larger makes the image brighter but blurred. More light passes through the hole in more directions.
Keywords
Camera - A device that produces an image from light that enters it.
Image - A representation of an object.
Pinhole camera - An empty, closed box with a tiny hole on the front face and a screen on the back face.
Translucent - Describes a material that lets some light through, but through which objects cannot be seen clearly.
Inverted - Describes an image that is upside down.
Common misconception
Light from a lamp moves in parallel rays in a preferred direction towards the observer.
Overtly discuss the direction light rays move from a lamp by considering where light from a lamp can be seen from.
Teacher tip
This investigation is speeded up if pre-constructed pinhole cameras are used to observe images formed by a pinhole camera, which gives more time to focus on thinking about how the images are formed.
Equipment
Pinhole camera, large pin, carbon filament lamp or similar to provide a bright distinct image.
Content guidance
Risk assessment required - equipment
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which of the following is a definition of a translucent material?
Q2.Which of the following describes a luminous object?
Q3.In diagrams, we can draw arrows to show the direction light travels, and where the light travels from and to. What are these arrows called?
Q4.Which of the following is a definition of the word ‘image’?
Q5.Which of the following statements is always necessary for you to be able to see an object?
Q6.Which of the following statements explains why it is easier to see a dim lamp outdoors at night than in the day?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which of the following key terms means ‘turned upside–down’?
Q2.A ball moves through the air in daylight. The ball is not shiny and it is not black. Which of the following statements is correct?
Q3.Which of the following are needed for a pinhole camera to show a clear image?
Q4.A pupil makes a pinhole camera and uses it to make an image of a bulb. Then the pupil makes the pinhole larger. In which of the following ways does this change the image?
Q5.A pinhole camera makes an image of a filament bulb. Which of the following changes will make the image smaller?
Q6.A pupil holds up a pinhole camera at a short distance from a filament bulb that is switched on. Which of the following statements explains why an image of the bulb appears on the screen?
To help you plan your 8 science lesson on: A pinhole camera, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 8 science lesson on: A pinhole camera, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 3 science lessons from the Making images unit, dive into the full secondary science curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.