What is Light?
What does light help our eyes do?
Light helps us see.
What is a light source?
Something that produces its own light.
In what kind of line does light travel?
A straight line.
What forms when an object blocks light?
A shadow.
Light is a special kind of what?
Energy.
Is the Sun a natural or artificial light source?
A natural light source.
What does “reflect” mean?
To bounce light off a surface.
Where does a shadow form compared with the light source?
On the opposite side of the light source.
In what kind of path does light travel?
A straight line.
Name one artificial light source.
A light bulb, lamp, torch, candle, streetlight, headlight or screen.
What does “absorb” mean?
To take in light.
What kind of surface produces the clearest reflection?
A smooth and shiny surface.
What is the biggest natural source of light?
The Sun.
What is it called when a living thing produces its own light?
Bioluminescence.
What is the transmission of light?
When light passes through a material.
Name two places where you can see a reflection.
A mirror, glass window, puddle, still water or shiny spoon.
What happens after light shines on an object?
It bounces off the object and enters our eyes.
Name one animal that produces its own light.
A firefly, anglerfish, jellyfish or squid.
Is clear glass transparent, translucent or opaque?
Transparent.
How do shadows change from morning to noon and evening?
They are long in the morning, short at noon and long again in the evening.
Why can’t we see an object in complete darkness?
There is no light to bounce off the object and enter our eyes.
Why is a torch useful during a power cut?
It is portable and provides light when the electricity is off.
Is frosted glass transparent, translucent or opaque?
Translucent.
If a lamp is on your left, where will your shadow appear?
On your right.
Approximately how fast does light travel?
About 300,000 kilometres per second.
Why is fire considered natural light while a candle is artificial?
Fire occurs in nature, but a candle is made by people.
Why do black clothes feel hotter in sunlight?
Black clothes absorb more light and heat.
What usually happens to your shadow when you move closer to a flashlight?
The shadow becomes bigger.
Approximately how long does sunlight take to reach Earth?
About eight minutes.
Give one reason why some animals produce their own light.
To find food, protect themselves or communicate.
How much light passes through transparent, translucent and opaque materials?
Transparent materials allow almost all light through, translucent materials allow some light through, and opaque materials block all light.
What is the difference between a shadow and a reflection?
A shadow is caused by blocked light, while a reflection is caused by light bouncing off a surface.
Explain how you see a red ball after switching on a lamp.
Light travels from the lamp to the ball, reflects into our eyes, and our eyes send a message to the brain.
Sort these light sources: lightning, phone screen, firefly, streetlight, Sun and candle.
Natural—lightning, firefly and Sun. Artificial—phone screen, streetlight and candle.
What happens when light shines through clear plastic, tissue paper and cardboard?
Clear plastic allows most light through, tissue paper allows some light through, and cardboard blocks the light.
How can you use a flashlight, your hand and a mirror to demonstrate a shadow and a reflection?
The hand blocks the light and creates a shadow, while the mirror reflects the light and creates a reflection or bright spot.