Notes Light

CONTENTS
1. Light is a form of energy
Explore how opaque materials do not let light through and transparent
2. materials let a lot of light through.
Observe that shadows are formed when light travelling from a source is
3. blocked.
Investigate how the size of a shadow is affected by the position of the

4. object.
Observe that shadows change in length and position throughout the

5. day.
Know that we see light sources because light from the source enters our
6. eyes.
Know that beams/rays of light can be reflected by surfaces including
7. mirrors, and when reflected light enters our eyes we see the object.
Scientific Enquiry
Plan a scientific enquiry to find out whether the given materials are
1.
transparent, translucent and opaque.
Plan and carry out a scientific enquiry to find out how the position of the
2.
object affects the size of the shadow.
Plan and carryout a scientific enquiry to find out how the position of the light
3.
source affects the position of the shadow.
Vocabulary
Word Meaning
emit (energy, especially light or heat) in the form of rays or
radiate
waves.
Light source an object that produce light
Opaque not able to be seen through

allowing light to pass through so that objects behind can be
Transparent
distinctly seen.
the throwing back by a body or surface of light, heat, or sound
Reflection
without absorbing it.
each of the lines in which light (and heat) may seem to stream
Ray
from the sun or any luminous body.
Propagate to move in some direction or through a medium; transmit
Linear straight or resembling a line

Any of various tubular optical instruments that contain
Periscope reflecting elements, such as mirrors and prisms, to permit
observation from a position displaced from a direct line of sight.
Displaced To move, shift, or force from the usual place or position
projection of light energy radiating from a light source or

Light beam
collection of light rays from a light source.
luminous giving off light; bright or shining.
not capable of producing light, but can be capable of reflecting

Non-luminous
light from another source.
Sources of light
The Sun, fires and lamps are all sources of light. Mirrors and other objects reflect light. They
do not make their own light.
A source of light makes light. The Sun and other

stars, fires, torches and lamps all make their own
light and so are examples of sources of light.
When a television is turned on, it produces light.
Some animals, such as fireflies and glow-worms, are

light sources. They make their own light to attract mates.
 The moon is not a source of light. It reflects light from the Sun.
Transparent, translucent and opaque materials

Transparent
Transparent materials let light pass through them in

straight lines, so that you can see clearly through them.
Glass is an example of a transparent material.
Translucent
Translucent materials let some light through, but they

scatter the light in all directions, so that you cannot see
clearly through them. Tissue paper is an example of a
translucent material.
Opaque
Opaque materials do not let any light pass through

them. They block the light. Wood is an example of an
opaque material.
Shadows
A shadow is made when an object blocks light. The object must be opaque or
translucent to make a shadow. A transparent object will not make any shadow, as light
will pass straight through it.
The following three things are required for a shadow to form
 a source of light
 an opaque object
 a screen or surface behind the object
Opaque objects make dark shadows. Translucent objects make faint shadows.
 If an object is moved closer to the light source, the shadow gets bigger.
 If an object is moved further away from the light source, the shadow gets smaller.
Characteristics of a Shadow:
A shadow has the following three characteristics:
 It is always black, regardless of the colour of the object used to make the shadow
 It only shows the shape or outline of the object and not the details.
 The size of a shadow varies depending on the distance between the object and
the source of light, and the distance between the object and the screen.
Shadows made by the Sun
The Sun is a very bright natural light source. It seems to move across the sky during the
day. In fact it just looks like it does that because the Earth is spinning.
The Sun casts (makes) the longest shadows at the beginning and end of the day that
means, during early morning and just before sunset, when the Sun is lowest in the sky.
The Sun casts the shortest shadows at midday, when the Sun is highest in the sky.
Sundial, the earliest type of timekeeping device, which indicates the time of day by the
position of the shadow of some object exposed to the sun’s rays. As the day progresses,
the sun moves across the sky, causing the shadow of the object to move and indicating
the passage of time.
Reflection of light
When light falls on a highly polished surface like a mirror most of the light is sent
back into the same medium. This process is called “ reflection of light”.
• Reflected Ray – leaves mirror and strikes
your eye
• Incident Ray – leaves the object and strikes the mirror
When rays of light reflect, they obey the law of reflection:
Law of reflection of light.
 The angle of incidence is equal to the angle of reflection.
Angle i = Angle r
 The incident ray , the reflected ray and the normal at the point of
incidence all lie on the same plane.
Types of reflection
1.Irregular or Diffused reflection : -
When light strikes a rough and dull surface , it bounces back in all directions
(scatters) giving rise to general illumination. It helps us to see things.
2.Regular or Specular reflection :-
When light reflects a smooth or shiny surface, it gets reflected in the same
medium forming image of an object.
Uses of reflection of light
1.Reflection help us to see nonluminous objects around us.
2. Reflection help us to see our image on the mirror
3. The vehicles’ side mirror enables the driver to see things behind the vehicle.
4. Reflective safety jackets helps to identify a person from a long distance

especially if there is poor lightening.
Refraction of light
Light waves travel at a different speed when they go through other transparent
materials, such as water or glass. This causes the rays of light to change direction
and bend. This is known as refraction.
Refraction = the bending of light rays
• For Example: When they enter a more dense medium e.g. water - the ray
slows down.
Ray diagram : refraction of light
Examples of refraction in daily life:
 Bent objects in liquid

 Object is at a deeper depth than where it appears to be.
Difference between reflection and refaction of light.
Reflection Refraction
When light falls from one medium on the When a light falls from one medium on the
surface of another medium , a part from it surface of another medium it changes its
bounce back in the same medium . This direction and speed .This process is called
process is called reflection of light refraction of light
In this process light bounce back In this process light change its path
In this process light waves bounce off the In this method light waves change its
plane and change direction direction and speed
In reflection of light the angle of incidence is In refraction of light the angle of incidence is
equal to angle of reflection different to angle of refraction
It occurs to mirrors It occurs in lenses

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CONTENTS

1. Light is a form of energy

Investigate how the size of a shadow is affected by the position of the

Observe that shadows change in length and position throughout the

Light source an object that produce light

Opaque not able to be seen through

Propagate to move in some direction or through a medium; transmit

Linear straight or resembling a line

projection of light energy radiating from a light source or

luminous giving off light; bright or shining.

not capable of producing light, but can be capable of reflecting

A source of light makes light. The Sun and other

When a television is turned on, it produces light.

Some animals, such as fireflies and glow-worms, are

Transparent, translucent and opaque materials

Transparent materials let light pass through them in

Translucent materials let some light through, but they

Opaque materials do not let any light pass through

The following three things are required for a shadow to form

A shadow has the following three characteristics:

• Reflected Ray – leaves mirror and strikes

• Incident Ray – leaves the object and strikes the mirror

When rays of light reflect, they obey the law of reflection:

Law of reflection of light.

 The angle of incidence is equal to the angle of reflection.

1.Irregular or Diffused reflection : -

2.Regular or Specular reflection :-

Uses of reflection of light

1.Reflection help us to see nonluminous objects around us.

2. Reflection help us to see our image on the mirror

4. Reflective safety jackets helps to identify a person from a long distance

Refraction = the bending of light rays

Ray diagram : refraction of light

Examples of refraction in daily life:

 Bent objects in liquid

It occurs to mirrors It occurs in lenses

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