ExplorerGrade 1⏱ 10 min
Light and shadows
Shine a flashlight through glass, paper, a teddy bear and a mirror. Which ones make a shadow?
Standards: 1-PS4-31-PS4-2
1Wonder
On a sunny day, a dark shape follows you everywhere. It copies everything you do. What is it, and where does it come from?
2Explore
This activity needs a bigger screen
Turn your phone sideways, or open this lesson on a tablet or computer. The explanation and quiz below work here.
Light goes through: —Some light goes through: —Light is blocked: —Light bounces off: —
Put in the light
Try this
- Put each thing in the light: the glass, the wax paper, the teddy bear and the mirror. Which ones make a dark shadow?
- Look at the list under the picture. Can you sort all four?
- Drag the teddy bear close to the flashlight, then close to the screen. When is the shadow bigger?
- Where does the light go when you use the mirror?
- Turn the flashlight off. Is there still a shadow?
3Explain
Step 1 of 6
Light travels in straight lines
Light goes out from the flashlight in straight lines until it hits something.
What makes a shadow?
A shadow forms when something blocks light. Clear things let light through, some things let a little through, solid things block it, and mirrors bounce it.
4Practice
Question 1 of 5
Which one makes the darkest shadow?
5Recap
- Light travels in straight lines.
- Clear things let light through. Some things let a little light through.
- Solid things block light and make a shadow with their shape.
- Mirrors bounce light in a new direction.
- The closer a thing is to the light, the bigger its shadow.