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3.1 (Light and shadow)

Waves are one way in which energy may be transferred between stores. Both mechanical and electromagnetic waves
will transfer energy but not matter.

Types of waves
Waves are one of the ways in which energy may be transferred between stores. Waves can be
described as disturbance that transfers energy from place to place.
For example:

 sound waves cause air particles to vibrate back and forth

 ripples cause water particles to vibrate up and down
1-Mechanical waves: require a medium in order to transport their
energy from one location to another

Properties of mechanical waves:

 A mechanical wave is a disturbance in matter that transfers energy through the matter.

 The matter through which a mechanical wave travels is called the medium (plural, media).

 Examples of mechanical waves:

 sound waves cause air particles to vibrate back and forth

 ripples cause water particles to vibrate up and down
2-Electromagnetic waves: are waves that are created as a result of vibrations between an electric field
and a magnetic field.

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Properties of electromagnetic waves:

 transfer energy as radiation from the source of the waves to an absorber

 can travel through a vacuum such as in space
 travel at the same speed through a vacuum or the air
Electromagnetic waves travel at 300,000,000 meters per second (m/s) through a vacuum.

Examples of electromagnetic waves:

Radio waves, microwaves, infrared and visible light

What happens to light as it travels?

Light travels in straight lines, so if you have to represent a ray of light in a drawing, always use a ruler.

How we see?

You look at a book. A source of light, like a light bulb, emits light. This light reflects off the book and
into your eye You see the book when the light is absorbed in your eye.

Can light travel through materials?

Light can travel through some materials. This is called transmission.

Materials that are transparent, like plain glass, transmit light in an organized way so that we can see
the details of an object through the material.

Unit 3- Light and other waves Grade 6

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Other materials are translucent, which means

that although the light rays get through, they
are scattered as they pass through the
material. The information the light carries
becomes confused. Some windows made of
glass or plastic are translucent. 'they can allow
daylight into a house for people to see by, but
stop people outside seeing details inside the
house.

Some materials let no light through. They are

opaque. This is for one of two reasons — either
the material reflects the light, for example a
shiny metal surface, or the material absorbs the

light energy and transforms it into heat.

Opaque materials usually reflect and absorb
light. All metals are opaque; bricks and wood
are also opaque.

When light is reflected off a surface, the light

either bounces off in an organized way as it
does off a mirror, or the light is scattered. Smooth surfaces reflect in an organized way
and matt surfaces like paper, scatter the light. some light is absorbed

Shadows
What happens when an opaque object is placed in front of a light source?

When an opaque object is placed in front of a light source, it prevents the light from
passing through.

This then creates a dark area or shape on a surface as a result.

This is called a shadow.

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 Changing shadows

By moving the position of the light source, we change the size of the shadow.

 The closer to the light source an object is, the bigger the shadow will be. This is
because the object blocks more of the light.
 The further away from the light source an object is, the smaller the shadow will be. This
is because the object blocks less of the light.
 When the light source moves directly above an object, the shadow will be directly below
the object.
 When the light source is to one side of the object, the shadow will appear on the
opposite side and the shadow will be longer.

Key facts to remember:

 Light can travel through transparent objects.

 Shadows are formed when light is blocked.
 Shadows can be formed from natural and artificial light.
 We can change the size of the shadow by moving the object further away or closer from
the light source.

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3.1 Questions
By the end of the lesson learners should be able to: Conclude the concept of waves.

 Describe Shadow formation

 Explore effect of distance on shadow formation

Q1
A- What do waves transfer?
i. Energy but not matter
ii. Energy and matter
iii. Matter but not energy

B- What is the general name for waves that require a medium to vibrate?

i. Electromagnetic
ii. Mechanical
iii. Transverse
C- disturbance that transfers energy from place to place is called a..

i. Wave
ii. Medium
iii. vibration
iv. compression
D- Mechanical waves are created when a source of energy causes a medium to.
i. Move
ii. Compress
iii. Vibrate
iv. Expand
E- A wave travels through a medium because…
i. the medium’s particles are carried along with the wave.

ii. the wave’s energy passes from particle to particle.

iii. the medium transfers electromagnetic energy.

iv. the wave increases the potential energy of its medium

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F- Why do you see lightning from a distant storm before you hear thunder?

i. The thunder is produced after the lightning

ii. Your eyes react faster than your ears.

iii. Light travels faster than sound.
iv. Sound travels faster than light.
G- Waves that require a medium through which to travel are called electromagnetic waves.

1) true

2) false
H- Sound travels FASTEST through which of these materials?
i. Air
ii. Empty space
iii. Metal
iv. Water

I- Sound is a form of?

i. Energy

ii. Pitch

iii. Volume

iv. matter

J- Why is the school library covered with carpet?

i. So everyone can make a lot of noise
ii. to help absorb sounds to keep it quiet
iii. because it looks good
iv. to help absorb sounds so it can stay noisy

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Unit 3- Light and other waves Grade 6