Science / Year 5 / Science Understanding / Physical sciences

• TLF-IDL2042

Change the direction of a light beam using a mirror. Light the way for a scribe to see inside a pyramid. Position mirrors to direct a beam of sunlight. Choose mirrors that will reflect light at a suitable angle. Find animals on a dark night. Choose a mirror that will reflect light at a suitable angle. Notice that the light ...

• TLF-IDS7084

This comprehensive teacher resource explores the properties of light through a series of collaborative inquiry-based learning activities. Reflection, absorption and refraction of light, and consideration of how humans use light, are investigated using hands-on activities. Eight structured lessons are included, with comprehensive ...

• TLF-IDS8333

This sequence of tasks and resources investigates light including how light is absorbed, reflected and refracted. Activities include looking at how a telescope uses light, and how light travelling through, or reflected from, surfaces can create illusions, images and shadows. The interactive resource ‘Optics and images’ ...

• TLF-IDL1488

Position lenses and mirrors to change the direction of light rays and produce images. Predict the properties of a reflection produced by a mirror according to its shape: flat, concave or convex. Explore how the distance of an object from a mirror affects the image produced. This learning object is the second in a series ...

• TLF-IDM015673

How can a water-filled plastic straw be used to decode a secret message? Watch as the Surfing Scientist demonstrates how lenses with a curved surface do curious things to light.

• TLF-IDL1483

Position lenses and mirrors to change the direction of light rays and produce images. Predict the properties of a reflection produced by a mirror according to its shape: flat, concave or convex. Position a lens to produce a magnified image of an object. Explore how the curvature of a lens affects focal length and images ...

• TLF-IDM025129

All you need is water, the sky and sunlight and you’ve got something that’s colourful – with a pot of gold at each end. What is it? A rainbow! Find out what happens to sunlight inside a raindrop, why rainbow colours are always in the same order and the real shape of a rainbow. Tip: it’s not an arch!

• TLF-IDL10195

Position lenses to change the direction of light rays and produce images. Predict the properties of an image produced by a lens according to its shape: concave or convex. Position a lens to produce a magnified image of an object. Explore how the curvature of a lens affects focal length and images produced. Produce real ...

• TLF-IDM019636

Try some hands on investigations that relate to learning about the Sun. Follow step-by-step procedures, read through explanations to find out why things happened and also view related video clips. Free when reviewed on 12/5/2015.

• TLF-IDM025127

Can you guess how many sunsets and sunrises an astronaut on the International Space Station sees every 24 hours? Sixteen! Imagine seeing all those spectacular colours so many times a day (even if the view lasts only a few seconds as they zoom by). Find out exactly why sunrises and sunsets are red, orange and golden but ...

• TLF-IDL3061

Align a light source with holes in panels to test the direction that light rays travel. This learning object is one in a series of two objects.

• TLF-IDL1487

Position an object and a flat mirror to reflect light rays and produce images. Predict the size and position of the reflection produced. This learning object is the first in a series of three objects that progressively increase in difficulty. The series is also packaged as a combined learning object.

• TLF-IDL7562

Find out why some things appear coloured and others white or black. View four cards of unknown colour under four different coloured lights: red, green, blue and white. Notice how the cards can have different colours under different lights. Record your observations for each card in turn, and then use this data to determine ...

• TLF-IDL10325

Test your understanding of the effect of filters on white light. Select a filter, or combination of filters to produce a particular lighting effect. Answer multiple-choice questions and give your reasoning for your answers. Predict the effect of adding different coloured filters to white light. Then use animations to help ...

• TLF-IDL540

Run experiments in a plant research laboratory. Investigate the effects of different variables on the growth of lettuces, peas and tomatoes. Research the answers to questions about how to achieve optimum hydroponic growth conditions. Examine the effect of key variables on growth: nitrogen, temperature, light intensity and ...