Light - Knowledge Organisers

At the beginning of the unit on light, students are expected to know that light is produced by certain objects, such as the Sun through burning or street lights through electricity. They should also understand that shiny materials reflect light rather than produce it, and that shadows are formed when light is blocked by materials. By the end of the unit, students will have a deeper understanding of light sources, the necessity of light, and objects that do not emit light. They will learn that light sources can be natural, like the Sun and stars, or artificial, such as electric lights and those resulting from chemical reactions. The importance of light for visibility, especially in darkness, will be emphasised, alongside safety tips such as not looking directly at the Sun or into a torch.

The unit will also cover the nature of light travel, explaining that light moves in straight lines and creates shadows when obstructed by opaque objects. Students will engage in practical investigations to explore brightness, the formation of shadows, and light reflection. They will discover that the Moon is not a light source but reflects the Sun's light, and will differentiate between opaque, translucent, and transparent materials and their effects on light and shadows. The unit includes a vocabulary list to support understanding of key terms and assesses students' knowledge through questions that address concepts such as light reflection, light sources, and the behaviour of mirrors and shadows.