Year 6 - Science
Shadow shapes investigation
Light and how it travels
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This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
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 use the idea of light travelling in straight lines to explain shadow shape.
Key Notes
- A shadow is formed when an object blocks light travelling from a light source.
- Scientific diagrams can help us to understand shadows.
- The shape of a shadow depends on the shape of the object blocking the light.
- Because light travels in straight lines, the shape of the shadow will be the same as the outline shape of the object.
Vocabulary To Learn
- shadow: A shadow is formed when an opaque object blocks the light.
- cast: To cast a shadow is to block light and cause a shadow.
- opaque: Light cannot pass through objects that are opaque.
- light rays: A light ray is a line with an arrow on it drawn on a diagram to show the direction in which light is travelling.
- outline: The outline of an object is the main shape or edge of it without any detail.
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Shadows only form in bright light.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain the scientific idea in this lesson using two key points.
A shadow is formed when an object blocks light travelling from a light source. Scientific diagrams can help us to understand shadows.
2. Define this scientific word and use it in context. 'shadow'
A shadow is formed when an opaque object blocks 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. Correction: Children will explore shadow making and images and examples will be used to show how shadows are formed.
More Lessons In This Unit
- Changing the direction of light Study Guide
- How light travels Study Guide
- How shadows form Study Guide
- Light enters our eyes Study Guide
- Light sources and light reflectors (non-statutory) Study Guide
- Measuring reflected light: do and review Study Guide
- Measuring reflected light: plan Study Guide
- Multiple shadows Study Guide
- Reflected light Study Guide
- The position of shadows (non-statutory) Study Guide
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