Lesson context

Key concepts
PLANNING A SCIENCE INVESTIGATION

Activity
TRANSLUCENT, TRANSPARENT
OR OPAQUE?

Investigation
 Lesson context
WHAT ARE WE LEARNING TODAY?

We are investigating light interaction with objects.

Key concepts
Objectives Activity

01 03

Activity
The experiment Planning

02 04

Investigation
 Lesson context
Lesson context

Lesson objectives

Key concepts
01 Categorise materials by light transmission.

02 Observe light transmission

03 Design and conduct an experiment.

Activity
Prior learning Up next...

Investigation
How is light transmitted through objects?

Key concepts
• When light hits an object, it

Activity
behaves in certain ways.
• Transparent objects allow light to
pass through them to the other
side.

Investigation
• Examples are glass and clear
plastic.
How is light transmitted through objects?
• When light hits an object, it
behaves in certain ways.
• Transparent objects allow light to
pass through them to the other
side.
• Examples are glass and clear
plastic.
Key concepts
• Translucent objects allow some
Activity
light to pass through them.
• Some of the light is absorbed.
• Examples are wax paper and
frosted glass.
Investigation
How is light transmitted through objects?

Key concepts
• When light hits an object, it • Translucent objects allow some • Opaque objects do not allow light

behaves in certain ways.
• Transparent objects allow light to
pass through them to the other
side.
light to pass through them.
• Some of the light is absorbed.
• Examples are wax paper and
frosted glass.
Activity
to pass through them.
• Light is either absorbed or
reflected.
• Examples are wood and metal.

Investigation
• Examples are glass and clear
plastic.
How is light transmitted through objects?

Key concepts
• When light hits an object, it • Translucent objects allow some • Opaque objects do not allow light

behaves in certain ways.
• Transparent objects allow light to
pass through them to the other
side.
light to pass through them.
• Some of the light is absorbed.
• Examples are wax paper and
frosted glass.
Activity
to pass through them.
• Light is either absorbed or
reflected.
• Examples are wood and metal.

Investigation
• Examples are glass and clear
plastic.

How can we use this information to plan an investigation about light transmission?
Checking understanding
What do you know about light transmission?
Read each statement in the table below and tick the correct column(s)

Statement Transparent Translucent Opaque

Hardly any light passes through.

Almost all light passes through.

Activity
You can clearly see through the object.

You cannot see through the object.

Investigation
You can partly see through the object
Checking understanding - answers
What do you know about light transmission?
Read each statement in the table below and tick the correct column(s)

Statement Transparent Translucent Opaque

Hardly any light passes through.

Almost all light passes through.

Activity
You can clearly see through the object.

You cannot see through the object.

Investigation
You can partly see through the object
How is light transmitted?
Equipment

flashlight opaque objects translucent objects transparent objects

1. Gather a selection of objects made from different materials.

2. Darken the room by closing the blinds and turning off lights.
3. Hold the first object 15cm from a wall.
4. Shine a torch directly at the object.
5. Observe and record the light passing through the object onto the

Investigation
wall as 'all', 'some', or 'no' light.
We are investigating light transmission.
Independent variable (We could change...)

Type of material

Investigation
We are investigating light transmission.
Independent variable (We could change...)

Type of material

Dependent variable (We could measure...)

Amount of light
that passes through
the material.

Investigation
We are investigating light transmission.
Independent variable (We could change...) Control variables

Type of material
Dependent variable (We could measure...)
• The distance from the light source to the material (15cm
in the experiment).
• The intensity of the light from the torch.
• The environmental conditions, such as the darkness of the
room.
• The size of the materials being tested, to ensure that the
area the light has to pass through is consistent.
• The angle at which the light hits the materia

Amount of light
that passes through
the material.

Investigation
We are investigating light transmission.
Independent variable (We could change...) Control variables

Type of material
Dependent variable (We could measure...)
• The distance from the light source to the material (15cm
in the experiment).
• The intensity of the light from the torch.
• The environmental conditions, such as the darkness of the
room.
• The size of the materials being tested, to ensure that the
area the light has to pass through is consistent.
• The angle at which the light hits the materia
Prediction (What we think will happen is...)

Amount of light If the material is transparent, then the light will pass through
that passes through completely and be visible on the wall. If the material is
the material. translucent, the light will partially pass through and create a

Investigation
dim or blurred patch on the wall. If the material is opaque, no
light will pass through, and no patch will appear on the wall.