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Unit 6 Exploration Light

The document discusses the properties of light, including its sources, types of objects based on light transmission (luminous, non-luminous, transparent, opaque, and translucent), and the behaviors of light such as reflection, refraction, and shadow formation. It explains how light travels in straight lines and how different surfaces affect light reflection. Additionally, it covers the factors influencing the size and shape of shadows based on the object's distance from the light source.

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2 views

Unit 6 Exploration Light

The document discusses the properties of light, including its sources, types of objects based on light transmission (luminous, non-luminous, transparent, opaque, and translucent), and the behaviors of light such as reflection, refraction, and shadow formation. It explains how light travels in straight lines and how different surfaces affect light reflection. Additionally, it covers the factors influencing the size and shape of shadows based on the object's distance from the light source.

Uploaded by

perfectlyimperfect1606
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Grade 5 Light and its properties

Light: The main source of light is the Sun. There are many other things that produce light. They can
be natural light sources or artificial light sources. Candles, fluorescent tubes, television screens,
computer screens, are some examples of light sources.

Light Sources

Natural Light Sources Artificial Light Sources

• The Sun • Star • Flame from burning object • Torch

• Firefly • Lightning • Fluorescent lamp • Table Lamp

• An object which produces light is called a luminous object, e.g. sun, bulb, etc.
• An object which does not produce light is called non-luminous object, e.g. moon. When a light
source is turned on, it gives out light. Light travels in all directions from the light source.

A very narrow path of light is referred to as a light


ray. Diagrams of light rays indicate the direction
in which the light is travelling. If light is travelling
from a light source, then we can draw light rays
spreading out from the source.

A beam of light is broader and consists of


several rays.

• An object which allows complete passage to light, then it is called a transparent object. We
can clearly see through a transparent object. -e.g., clear glass, clear plastic and water.
• An object which does not allows passage to light, then it is called an opaque object. We cannot
see through an opaque object. –e.g., wood, metal, cardboard.
• An object which allows partial passage to light, then it is called a translucent object. -
e.g. frosted glass, tracing paper, thin cloth, tissue paper.
Light rays usually travel away from the source of light in straight lines until they hit something. When
light hits an object, it can.
a) Be reflected or scattered off the object.
b) Be absorbed by the object.
c) Be refracted through the object.
d) Pass through the object with no effect.

The reflected light still travels in straight lines, but in a new direction. If the light enters our eyes,
we see the object (that is our eyes can detect light). Hence, the reflected light forms an image in
our eye.

For further clarity, let’s consider light from a light source entering our eyes, we can see the light
source. If light from the Sun falls on an object such as a tree or a house, the light is reflected off that
object. If light from a light source fall on an object such as a book or a clock, it is usually reflected
off that object. This is a continuous process.

Light always travels in a straight line. This property can be proved by a simple experiment. For this,
take a cylindrical tube, which can be easily bent. Try to see a source of light; like a bulb or a candle;
through the straight tube. Once the tube is bent at some angle, it is not possible to see the source of
light through it. This happens because light travels in a straight line. The property of light to travel in
straight lines is called rectilinear propagation of light.

Objects that reflect light

• Those that reflect light well have shiny and smooth surfaces.

• Those that do not reflect light well have rough and dark surfaces.
Fact: Nothing travels faster than light. Its speed in a vacuum is about 3 x 108 m/s, but it travels
slower through materials such as air, glass, or water.

Reflection of light: Objects with a shiny and smooth surface reflect lighter than objects with a dark or
rough surface. Most objects are visible because they reflect some of the light that falls on them and very
few visible objects produce light. Objects that appear bright or shiny reflect most of the light that falls on
them. Objects that are dull absorb most of the light that falls on them and change it into heat. Mirrors
produce clear images because the arrangement of the rays is not disturbed as the rays are being reflected.

Refraction of light: The speed of light in water is less than that in vacuum. When a ray of light
enters water or glass at an angle, it changes direction slightly. This effect is known as refraction.
Refraction causes lenses and other transparent objects to alter the appearance of things seen through
them.
Formation of Shadow:

Light travels in straight lines. Anything


that blocks the path of light will cast a
shadow. Opaque objects do not allow
light to pass through them, resulting in
the formation of shadows. The light
rays that go past the edges of the object
make an outline of the shadow.

Shapes of shadows: Shadows of an object can be different depending on the orientation of the object
with respect to the light source.

Sizes of shadows: The size of a shadow depends on the distance of the object from the light source. The
longer the distance between the light source and the object, the smaller is the shadow. The shorter the
distance between the light source and the object, the larger is the shadow.

Sources- Reference Book: Energy and Light, educational Publishing House Pvt Ltd

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