4.1.4

Shadows

Test yourself

Shadows

When light from a light source is blocked, it forms a shadow. If you are outside on the playground when the sun is shining, you can see your shadow.

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Opaque materials

  • Shadows are made when materials block light.
    • Materials that block light are 'opaque'.
  • Your body is opaque and blocks the light from the sun.
  • The metal of a car body is another opaque material.
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Transparent materials

  • Transparent materials let enough light through so that we can see clearly through them.
  • The glass windows of a house are transparent.
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Translucent materials

  • Translucent materials let some light through them, but not enough to see details.
  • Tracing paper is translucent.

Changes in Shadows

You can make your shadow change on the playground by changing the shape of your body.

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Changing your shadows

  • You can make your shadow longer or shorter.
  • You can also make your shadow look like something else.
    • Can you make a shadow that looks like a teapot?
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The size of shadows

  • Make a shadow on the wall using a projector or a torch.
    • Do not look directly into any bright light.
  • Pick an object that is opaque. How can you change the size of the shadow without moving the light source?
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Bigger/smaller shadows

  • Moving the object closer to the light source will make the shadow bigger.
  • Moving the object further away from the light source will make the shadow smaller.

Jump to other topics

1Year 3: Plants

2Year 3: Animals (Including Humans)

3Year 3: Rocks

3.1Rocks on Earth

4Year 3: Light

5Year 3: Forces & Magnets

6Year 4: Living Things & Their Habitats

7Year 4: Animals, Including Humans

8Year 4: States of Matter

9Year 4: Sound

10Year 4: Electricity

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