Success Homeschool

Year 5 Science · Light and shadows

Name: ______________________

Date: ____________

1. Which of these is a light source?
- ☐ (a) The Moon
- ☐ (b) A mirror
- ☐ (c) A campfire
- ☐ (d) A white wall
2. Why do shadows form?
- ☐ (a) Light bends around objects
- ☐ (b) An object blocks light travelling in straight lines
- ☐ (c) Objects make dark light
- ☐ (d) The wall absorbs the object
3. When is your shadow shortest on a sunny day?
- ☐ (a) Around midday
- ☐ (b) At sunrise
- ☐ (c) Just before sunset
- ☐ (d) It is always the same
4. Baking paper lets some light through, but you cannot see clearly through it. It is…
- ☐ (a) Transparent
- ☐ (b) Opaque
- ☐ (c) A light source
- ☐ (d) Translucent
5. How can you make a shadow on the wall smaller?
- ☐ (a) Move the object closer to the torch
- ☐ (b) Move the object closer to the wall
- ☐ (c) Use a brighter torch
- ☐ (d) Hold the torch behind the wall
6. A material that lets no light through is called o_____.
7. Light bounces off a mirror. What is this called?
8. Does light travel in straight lines or curved lines?

Answer sheet

1. A campfire — A campfire makes its own light. The Moon and mirrors only reflect light.
2. An object blocks light travelling in straight lines — Light travels in straight lines, so an object blocks it and leaves a dark area.
3. Around midday — The Sun is highest around the middle of the day, so shadows are shortest.
4. Translucent — Letting some light through without a clear view is translucent.
5. Move the object closer to the wall — Moving the object away from the light and closer to the wall makes a smaller shadow.
6. opaque — Opaque materials block light completely.
7. reflection — Light bouncing off a surface is reflection.
8. straight — Light travels in straight lines, which is why shadows form.