Light

Light

1L scientists study light!

Check out our amazing and beautiful stained glass windows! 

We have learned that light can interact with materials differently. The tissue paper is "translucent," the sequins are "reflective" and the glass is "transparent." Please continue to discuss how light works with your learners at home. You can visit Brainpop and search, "light" to find a helpful video too!

Here is some information on the topic to help guide your conversations:

When light strikes the surface of an object, the light can be reflected, scattered, absorbed, or transmitted.

Transmitted means that light goes through an object. If most or all of the light passes through easily, it is transparent, like glass or clear plastic. If some light passes through an object it is translucent, like wax paper or frosted glass. If little or no light passes through, the object is opaque. When light strikes an opaque object, a shadow can be created because light cannot bend around the object.

Most objects scatter light. Scattering sends light incident on a surface back in all directions. This differs from reflection, in which the angle that the incident light strikes a surface always equals the angle that the reflected light leaves the surface. We see most things in the world because of the light they scatter. Smooth, polished surfaces, like mirrors, reflect light. You have to be in the right place to see reflected images, but you can see scattered light in any direction.

Inside a room at night, glass windows reflect light from different objects and act as mirrors. Conversely, on the outside of a house at night, glass windows transmit light so you can see through them and into rooms. Thus, clear glass is not a practical mirror, so the backs of mirrors are coated with silver or aluminum. The coating reflects most of the light that is not reflected by the front surface or glass.

The more light an object absorbs, the darker it appears.

Light does not interact with all objects the same way. When light rays strike objects they can:

• easily pass through a transparent objects. Images can be clearly viewed through transparent objects.
• partially pass through translucent objects. Images are blurry but can be viewed through translucent objects.
• be mostly blocked by an opaque object. Images can not be viewed through an opaque object.
• reflect off an object, which can result in the ability to see the object.
• reflect off an object, which can result in the ability to see the object.

-Stemcopes Science Curriculum 

Love,

Mrs. L