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Year 6 - Science

How shadows form

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 explore the size, colour and features of a shadow, and compare shadows to reflections of objects.

Key Notes

  • A shadow is a dark shape formed when light is stopped or blocked by an object.
  • Opaque objects do not allow light to travel through them. Translucent objects let some light through.
  • A shadow can be different sizes depending on the distance of the object from the light source.
  • Shadows are dark where the light has been blocked and they do not show the features of the object.
  • Shadows of objects are not the same as reflections of them.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • shadow: A shadow is formed when an opaque object blocks out the light.
  • light source: An object that is a light source produces its own light.
  • opaque: Light cannot pass through objects that are opaque.
  • features: Features make up the structure, form or appearance of something.
  • reflection: Reflections of objects are images that form when light bounces off a shiny surface.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • Shadows only form in bright light; shadows and reflections are the same thing; a shadow shows the features of an object.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

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

A shadow is a dark shape formed when light is stopped or blocked by an object. Opaque objects do not allow light to travel through them. Translucent objects let some light through.

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

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

3. Correct this common scientific misunderstanding.

Mistake: Shadows only form in bright light; shadows and reflections are the same thing; a shadow shows the features of an object. Correction: Children will explore shadow making and images/examples will be used to highlight the key features of shadows and reflections.

More Lessons In This Unit

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