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Year 6 - Science

Changing the direction of light

Light and how it travels

Unit Summary

This unit explores how light travels in straight lines, explaining how we see objects and why shadows form the shape of the object casting them. It focuses on planning scientific enquiries, taking precise measurements, making predictions, and evaluating evidence to present findings.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to explain how mirrors are reflective materials that are used to change the direction in which light travels.

Key Notes

  • When light is reflected off the surface of an object, it changes direction.
  • Scientific diagrams and models can be used to show how light changes direction when it is reflected off surfaces.
  • Mirrors are sometimes used to deliberately change the direction of a beam of light.
  • A periscope has angled mirrors to enable you to see over walls or around corners.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • reflected: If light is reflected, it is bounced off a surface.
  • direction: Direction is the path that something takes to reach a particular place
  • model: A model is used to describe something that can't be experienced directly.
  • angle: An angle is the space between two straight lines which join at a vertex or point.
  • periscope: A periscope is a piece of equipment that uses angled mirrors to enable you to see over walls or around corners.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • Light can only reflect off shiny surface; light does not always travel in straight lines when it bounces off a mirror.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

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

When light is reflected off the surface of an object, it changes direction. Scientific diagrams and models can be used to show how light changes direction when it is reflected off surfaces.

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

If light is reflected, it is bounced off a surface. Include the word in a full scientific explanation, not as a single label.

3. Correct this common scientific misunderstanding.

Mistake: Light can only reflect off shiny surface; light does not always travel in straight lines when it bounces off a mirror. Correction: Diagrams and investigations will be used to address the misconceptions.

More Lessons In This Unit

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