Science Unit 6a Page 3

• Reflection of light:

  • When light strikes any surface, it is reflected
  • Smooth surfaces like mirrors, polished metals, and plastics reflect a lot of light
  • White objects reflect more light than dark objects, while dark surfaces absorb more light than they reflect
• Concept Check:

  • A smooth, polished surface reflects more light than a bumpy, dull surface
  • A white car reflects more light than a black car
  • A mirror reflects more light than a log
• Scavenger hunt:

  • Look for objects made of wood (opaque), clear glass (transparent), and frosted glass (translucent)
  • Shine a flashlight beam through each item and observe what happens to the light
  • Draw a diagram of your observations
• Shadows:

  • Shadows are formed on the side of opaque objects where light cannot reach
  • Types of shadows: umbra (where no light reaches, creating a dark shadow) and penumbra