Reflection, Absorption & Refraction
Rationale
By understanding the reflection, absorption and refraction of light, we are better able to appreciate the beauty and complexity of what we see in the world around us.
Essential Questions
- How can we use diagrams to show the path of light?
- How do we see light and colour?
- How does the speed and direction of light change when it moves through different materials?
- How much light passes through or is absorbed by different materials?
- What factors impact the size and shape of shadows?
Future Action
Your students will develop a greater curiosity for the world around them and contribute to conversation about light, colour, and shadows. They will be able to better describe how the brain and eyes see light and colour and how reflection, absorption and refraction of light impact on the way we see the world.
Pretesting and Familiarisation
Reflection, Absorption and Refraction Pretest
Your students will complete a pretest about how light is reflected, absorbed, and refracted.
Your students will complete a pretest about how light is reflected, absorbed, and refracted.
Reflection, Absorption and Refraction Glossary
Your students are going to become familiar with words that they will use during this learning sequence.
Your students are going to become familiar with words that they will use during this learning sequence.
Learning Opportunities
Visible Light: Light Rays
Your students will experiment with the reflection of light using mirrors and draw ray diagrams to show different light paths.
Your students will experiment with the reflection of light using mirrors and draw ray diagrams to show different light paths.
Seeing Colour: Why is the Sky Blue?
Your students will learn about the way our eyes and brains see colour and the results of combining coloured light.
Your students will learn about the way our eyes and brains see colour and the results of combining coloured light.
Light Refraction: Bending Light
Your students will learn how the speed and direction of light changes when it moves through different materials.
Your students will learn how the speed and direction of light changes when it moves through different materials.
Transparent, Translucent or Opaque: Materials Experiment
Your students will experiment with different materials to test and describe them as transparent, translucent, or opaque.
Your students will experiment with different materials to test and describe them as transparent, translucent, or opaque.
Investigating Shadows: Aluminum Foil Figures
Your students will investigate how the position of a light source creates different shadows by making a figurine from aluminium foil and using it to create shadow art.
Your students will investigate how the position of a light source creates different shadows by making a figurine from aluminium foil and using it to create shadow art.
Demonstration of Understanding
Developing My Presentation
Your students will select a performance of understanding and develop a presentation to show what they have learnt during this learning sequence.
Your students will select a performance of understanding and develop a presentation to show what they have learnt during this learning sequence.