Science / Year 5 / Science Understanding / Physical sciences

Curriculum content descriptions

Light from a source forms shadows and can be absorbed, reflected and refracted (ACSSU080)

Elaborations
  • drawing simple labelled ray diagrams to show the paths of light from a source to our eyes
  • comparing shadows from point and extended light sources such as torches and fluorescent tubes
  • classifying materials as transparent, opaque or translucent based on whether light passes through them or is absorbed
  • recognising that the colour of an object depends on the properties of the object and the colour of the light source
  • exploring the use of mirrors to demonstrate the reflection of light
  • recognising the refraction of light at the surfaces of different transparent materials, such as when light travels from air to water or air to glass
ScOT terms

Light,  Waves (Energy)

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Modelling the Seasons

This resource provides a scaffold for students to undertake a simple experiment. Students use a world globe and a heat lamp to investigate how the tilt of the Earth’s axis causes the seasons.

Interactive

Sites2See: Exploring energy for Primary

One page with links to websites with interactive resources, information and activities to support primary students investigating energy and the Climate Clever Energy Savers program.

Video

Colourful Weather, Ep 1: What shape is a rainbow?

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!

Video

Colourful Weather, Ep 3: Why sunsets and sunrises will never be blue or green

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 ...

Video

The physics of invisibility cloaks

Could an invisibility cloak actually work? Prashanth and Maria from MIT explore this idea and demonstrate the cool ways that light bounces, bends and mixes. How do the wings of the Morpho Butterfly give clues about how an invisibility cloak could work? How would light need to be channelled in order for something to seem invisible?

Video

Elliot and the Surfing Scientist: Using a lens to bend light

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.

Interactive

Light and reflection: using mirrors

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 ...

Interactive

DIY Sun Science - iTunes app

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.

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Light imitates art

In this sequence of 8 lessons, students learn about how light is transferred, how it helps them to see, and how reflections, shadows, and refraction occurs. They explore real-life applications by designing and/or making an artwork that utilises light in an artistic or celebratory capacity. Professional learning for teachers ...

Video

Kinora Viewer

The Kinora Viewer was a development of the flipbook that enabled viewers to turn the handle and see objects move. These kinds of machines eventually led to the development of film and television and a revolution in culture. But how does it work? Why do we see movement from a series of still images? This resource includes ...

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Periscope Design Challenge

In this activity, students design, build and test a periscope with features that allow for the adjustment of height and mirror angle to see beyond a trench and identify approaching threats. Students apply their understanding of the physical sciences and follow the design-thinking framework to investigate relevant aspects ...

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The One That Didn't Get Away

In this activity, students investigate the refraction of light. They explore what happens to a beam of light when it passes through transparent materials, and how refraction can affect the appearance of objects. The ways in which Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people use scientific knowledge to accurately spear fish ...

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FLEET Schools: Light: reflection, refraction, diffraction

This collection of learning activities explores the basic physics that describes light, the history of exploration of light and its applications, and implications for society. There are links to critical thinking activities and experiments that cover the concepts of absorption, reflection, refraction and diffraction to ...

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Personal Pinhole Theater

This activity invites students to build a pinhole camera using a large cardboard box and simple materials. The activity includes a list of tools and materials required, assembly instructions, what to do and notice, an explanation for the underlying science of what students observe and suggestions for further activities.

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Outdoor Shadows

This activity invites students to explore how outside shadows changes over time and relate this to the movement of the Sun and Earth. Students are asked to go outside and trace an outline of their shadow, wait a while, try again, and observe and record how their shadow has changed. The activity includes a list of tools ...

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Mirror reversal

This activity invites students to explore the directions that mirrors reflect images. The activity includes a list of tools and materials required, assembly instructions, what to do and notice, an explanation for the underlying science of what students observe and suggestions for further activities.

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Critical angle

This activity invites students to explore how light is reflected from the underside of a water surface. The activity includes a list of tools and materials required, assembly instructions, what to do and notice, an explanation for the underlying science of what students observe and suggestions for further activities.

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Corner Reflector

This activity invites students to use two hinged mirrors create a kaleidoscope that shows multiple images of an object. The activity includes a list of tools and materials required, assembly instructions, what to do and notice, an explanation for the underlying science of what students observe and suggestions for further ...

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Shadows

This activity invites students to explore the phenomena of shadows and investigate the question, 'How can you change shadows?' Students work with shadow phenomena outdoors, indoors, or both to figure out how to change the size, shape, and position of a shadow. The activity is designed for use at home or in a classroom and ...

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Hologram poetry lesson

In this lesson, students are asked to present a poem as a visual illusion. They explore holograms and visual illusions, and then delve into the mechanics of poetry construction by exploring the poetry of Banjo Paterson. They write their own poem or recite a poem and create a hologram illusion of themselves reciting a poem. ...