Shadows Transparent If an object is transparent it

Shadows

Transparent If an object is transparent, it means light completely passes through it and you can see clearly through it.

Can you think of some things in your house that are transparent, opaque or translucent?

Transparent Translucent Opaque

Light travels from a source in straight lines • We have learnt that light can only travel in straight lines. • If we block the light it can’t bend round the object. ☜ This part of the wall is dark. ☜ This part of the wall has the light on it.

Making Shadows Opaque objects do not let any light through. They completely block the light and stop it travelling any further. These objects create shadows. Shadows areas of darkness where light has been blocked.

Make some shadows! Put a torch on a box so it faces a wall. Switch on the torch. Hold an opaque object in the path of the light beam. Does it make a shadow? Can you explain to someone in your house how the shadow is made? What do you think will happen if you used a transparent object?

Why not make your own shadow puppet? Draw a character on some card. It could be a person or an animal. Attach a straw or a lolly stick to the puppet. Place the puppet in front of the torch light. Can you make a shadow on the You could decorate your puppet. wall. Can you find a way to change the Does decorating the puppet change shadow? Try moving the puppet. the shadow though? What happens if you change the angle of the torch? What happens if you move the puppet closer to the torch?

Extra Shadow Puppet Challenges You could design a puppet with moving parts. You will need split pins if you want to try this. Can you suggest a way to make a coloured shadow? Perhaps you could work out how to make a shadow puppet theatre out of an old box. You could use tissue paper or kitchen baking paper for the screen.

Just for fun… A deer A rabbit A flying bird A snail A bird perched on a branch.