Light Travels in Straight Lines
Recognise that light appears to travel in straight lines and use this to explain how we see objects and why shadows have the same shape as the objects that cast them
Teaching approaches
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1 approach
Can your child explain why a shadow of a hand looks like a hand shape, using the idea that light travels in straight lines?
Recognise that light appears to travel in straight lines and use this to explain how we see objects and why shadows have the same shape as the objects that cast them
Learning resources
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3 before · 1 after
Before
This concept
Check understanding
- State and demonstrate that light travels in straight lines (e.g. can't see around corners, laser pointer)
- Use straight-line light to explain why shadows have the same outline shape as the object
- Draw ray diagrams showing light travelling from source, being blocked by object, creating shadow on screen
“Can your child explain why a shadow of a hand looks like a hand shape, using the idea that light travels in straight lines?”
Curriculum record
- Type
- Conceptual
- Subject
- Science
- Domain
- Waves, Light & Sound
- Age range
- Ages 10–11
Standards