A
What do we need in order to see objects?
We need light.
How does light travel from a source?
Light always travels in straight lines.
What is "reflection"?
Reflection is when light bounces off a surface.
What is the primary source of light for our Solar System?
The Sun.
What causes day and night on Earth?
Day and night are caused by the Earth spinning (rotating) on its axis.
What is a "light source"?
A light source is something that makes its own light.
What happens when light hits an opaque object (an object you can’t see through)?
The light is blocked because it cannot bend around the object. This creates a shadow on the other side.
What happens when light hits a dark, rough surface?
Most of the light is absorbed or scattered in many different directions, so you don't see a clear reflection.
Why do planets like Mars or Jupiter look bright in the night sky?
They are reflecting the light from the Sun back to Earth.
How long does it take for the Earth to complete one full spin?
It takes 24 hours (one day).
Is the Moon a light source?
No. The Moon does not make its own light; it looks bright because it reflects light from the Sun.
Why can’t you see around a corner without a mirror?
Because light travels in straight lines and cannot curve or bend on its own to reach your eyes from around the corner.
Which type of surface reflects light the best?
Surfaces that are smooth, shiny, and flat (like a mirror or still water) reflect light the best.
At what time of day will your shadow be the shortest?
Your shadow is shortest at midday (noon), when the Sun is at its highest point in the sky.
Why does the Sun appear to "rise" in the east and "set" in the west?
The Sun isn't actually moving across the sky; it appears to move because the Earth is spinning.
When are shadows the longest during the day?
Shadows are longest in the early morning (sunrise) and late afternoon (sunset) when the Sun is low in the sky.
If you move a flashlight closer to an object, what happens to the size of its shadow?
The shadow gets bigger because the object blocks more of the light beams coming from the source.
When your side of the Earth is facing away from the Sun’s light, what do we call that period of time?
Nighttime
Imagine you are an astronaut traveling to Neptune, the farthest planet from the Sun. Compared to how it looks on Earth, would the Sun look:
A) Much brighter and bigger
B) Exactly the same
C) Much smaller and dimmer
C) Much smaller and dimmer
Even though light is the fastest thing in the universe, it still takes time to travel through space. About how long does it take for light from the Sun to reach Earth?
A) 8 seconds
B) 8 minutes
C) 8 hours
8 minutes