Traveling Light
Does light travel in straight lines or in curved lines?
Light travels in straight lines.
Can non-reflective surfaces absorb light?
Yes, non-reflective surfaces can absorb some light.
Identify the pupil on the diagram of the eye. What is the function of the pupil?
The pupil is the black hole in the center of the eye. It allows in more or less light to help you see.
Does light travel to a source or away from a source?
Light travels away from a source (like the sun) in rays.
What do we call it when light is unable to travel through a material or object?
When light cannot travel through an object it is blocked.
What does opaque mean? Name two materials that are opaque.
Opaque materials do not allow light to transmit or pass through.
Ex: wood, brick
Identify the retina on the diagram of the eye. What is the function of the retina?
The retina is the layer of cells and blood vessels at the back of the eye. It captures light and converts it into images for the brain to understand.
Can light travel through empty space?
Yes, light can travel through empty space without matter.
What is reflection?
Reflection is when light is bounced off of a surface back in the opposite direction.
What does transparent mean? Name two materials that are transparent.
Transparent materials allow light to transmit or pass through.
Ex: glass, water
Identify the cornea on the diagram of the eye. What is the function of the cornea?
The cornea is the clear covering over the eye. It protects the eye and lets in refracted light.
Sources of light often give off which other kind of energy?
Sources of light often give off heat energy.
What is refraction?
Refraction is when light is bent. It might look broken or wavy.
What does translucent mean? Name two materials that are translucent.
Translucent materials allow some light to transmit or pass through.
Ex: sunglasses, thin fabrics
Identify the iris on the diagram of the eye. What is the function of the iris?
The iris is the colorful part of the eye. Its muscles control the size of the pupil.
How can we see the moon?
We can see the moon because light from the sun reflects off of its surface.
Which tool can we use to make light refract? How does this tool work?
Prisms make light refract by taking in light and bending the rays to show different colors or wavelengths. This works because of the angles that are cut into the glass sides.
Challenge:
People are bioluminescent. What does this mean, and why can’t we see this?
People are bioluminescent which means they let off a faint glow. We cannot see this because the glowing is not on our visible spectrum of light.
Identify the lens on the diagram of the eye. What is the function of the lens?
The lens is the clear material behind the pupil. It helps refract light to form a picture.
Why can some animals see better in the dark than humans can?
Animals that are nocturnal can see better in the dark because their pupils are larger or open larger to allow in more light in darkness.