Light travels through the air in straight lines. If it didn't there wouldn't be any shadows. The only way we can see an object is if rays of light hit the object and it then reaches our eyes. This is why we can’t see things in the dark. The objects are still there but there is no light to reveal them. Light can pass through transparent objects like glass but cannot pass through opaque objects like wood. Things look strange underwater, because light travels from them in a different way. Light moves more slowly through water than it moves through air. As the beam of light enters the water, it slows down and bends. As it re-enters the air the light beam speeds up and bends back again. This is called refraction.
Transparent materials allow light to travel through them. We can see clearly through transparent materials like water and glass. Opaque objects do not let light travel through them. These objects create shadows on a sunny day. Translucent materials allow light to come through but we cannot see through it.
• Pencil • Water • Clear Glass or Jar
Light can play tricks on your eyes! This is a very fast and easy experiment.
Steps:
1. Fill the glass or jar half way with water.
2. Place the pencil in the water.
3. Look at the pencil from the top.
4. Look at the pencil from the side.
Step 1 Step 2 & 3
Step 4 Step 4
Straight or bent? What happens when you look at the pencil through the side of the glass? Light play tricks on your eyes. The pencil looks bent. This is because light travels slower through water than through air. As the light enters the glass of water it slows down (changes direction) and as it leaves the glass it speeds up again – therefore making the pencil look as though it is bent!
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