Light and Shadows
⭐ MasteredLight travels in straight lines. When an object blocks the light, it makes a shadow on the other side.
Light from the Sun takes about 8 minutes to reach Earth.
All about Light and Shadows
Light is a form of energy that travels in straight lines and lets us see things. Light comes from sources such as the Sun, light bulbs and candles. When light hits an object, some of it bounces off so that we can see the object.
The shadow is always on the side away from the light source.
Because light cannot bend around objects, anything that blocks it creates a dark area on the other side.
Shadows are useful: people have used them to tell the time for thousands of years with sundials.
🎮 Try it yourself!
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Real-life uses of Light and Shadows
- Using torches and headlights to see in the dark
- Making shadow puppets and sundials
- Designing sunglasses and sunscreen to protect our eyes and skin
Frequently asked questions about Light and Shadows
Why do shadows change size?
If the light source is closer to the object, the shadow gets bigger. If it is farther away, the shadow gets smaller.
Does light always travel in straight lines?
In a single material, yes. Light can bend when it passes into water or glass, which is called refraction.
Why is there no shadow on a cloudy day?
Clouds scatter sunlight in many directions, so the light comes from lots of places at once and shadows become faint or blurry.