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Year 3 - Science

Making shadows

Introduction to light and shadows

Unit Summary

This unit explores the nature of light, recognising that light is needed to see and that dark is the absence of light. It covers how light reflects and shadow formation. The unit emphasises practical tests, observations, accurate measuring, and using evidence to support findings.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to explain how shadows are formed.

Key Notes

  • When light falls on some objects, a dark shape is formed on the other side of the object.
  • A shadow is a dark shape that is formed when an object blocks light.
  • Opaque objects do not allow light to travel through them.
  • A shadow does not show the features of an object.
  • The shape of a shadow depends on the shape of the object blocking the light.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • shadow: A shadow is a dark shape that is formed when an object blocks light.
  • object: An object is something you can touch but something that is not usually a living thing.
  • light source: Something that is a light source produces its own light.
  • opaque: Light cannot pass through objects that are opaque.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • Shadows contain details of the object, such as facial features of a human's shadow. Also that a shadow can be a different shape to the object, and formed in between the light source and the object.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

1. Explain the scientific idea in this lesson using two key points.

When light falls on some objects, a dark shape is formed on the other side of the object. A shadow is a dark shape that is formed when an object blocks light.

2. Define this scientific word and use it in context. 'shadow'

A shadow is a dark shape that is formed when an object blocks light. Include the word in a full scientific explanation, not as a single label.

3. Correct this common scientific misunderstanding.

Mistake: Shadows contain details of the object, such as facial features of a human's shadow. Also that a shadow can be a different shape to the object, and formed in between the light source and the object. Correction: Explanation of how shadows are formed.

More Lessons In This Unit

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