Year 5 Science Consolidation: Light and Shadows

A Comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards based on the Year 5 Science Consolidation notes covering light behavior, materials, and shadow investigations.

Translucent

A material that lets some light through, but objects cannot be seen clearly (e.g., waxed paper, frosted glass, or tissue paper).

Reflected Ray

The light ray that bounces off a surface.

Prism

An object used to split white light into different colors to form a spectrum.

Natural Light Source

Sources of light found in nature, such as the Sun, stars, lightning, and fireflies/glow worms.

Star

An example of a natural light source that produces its own light.

Transparent

A material that lets most or all light through so that objects can be seen clearly (e.g., cling wrap, clear glass, or window).

Shadow

An area that receives less light because an opaque object blocks light traveling in a straight line.

Penumbra

The lighter outer part of a shadow.

Light

Energy that travels in a straight line until something changes its pathway.

Moon

A non-luminous object that is visible in the night sky because it reflects light from the Sun into our eyes.

Light Source

An object that produces light, categorized as either natural or artificial.

Incident Ray

The light ray that hits a surface before it is reflected.

Artificial Light Source

Sources of light made or used by people, such as torches, lamps, light globes, and street lights.

Umbra

The darkest part of a shadow.

Photon

A particle of light.

The Sun

The primary natural light source for Earth; it produces its own light.

Obstacle

An object that can block or change the path of light.

Opaque

A material that blocks light from passing through (e.g., timber doors, brick, or aluminum foil).

Spectrum

The range of colors formed when white light is refracted and separated.

Rainbow

An optical phenomenon formed when white light and water droplets cause refraction that separates light into colors.

Reflection

When light hits a surface and bounces off.

Absorption

When light is taken in by a surface, often making the object warmer (e.g., a black backpack in the Sun).

Refraction

When light bends or changes direction because it travels from one medium to another, such as air to water.

Isaac Newton

The scientist who used a glass prism to split white light into colors.

Periscope

A tool that uses reflection off two mirrors to allow a viewer to see an object above their line of sight.

Independent Variable

The factor in an experiment that is changed, such as the distance from the torch to the glue stick.

Dependent Variable

The factor in an experiment that is being measured, such as the height of the shadow.

Controlled Variables

Factors kept the same to ensure a fair test, such as using the same glue stick, torch, and measuring method.