KS3 Science · Physics
Light
Seven short lessons. Look at the picture, learn three things, then play.
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Key words
Ray A straight line with an arrow that shows the path of light
Reflection When light bounces off a surface
Incident ray The ray that travels towards a surface
Reflected ray The ray that leaves a surface after bouncing off it
Normal A line at 90° to a surface, from which angles are measured
Angle of incidence The angle between the incoming ray and the normal
Angle of reflection The angle between the outgoing ray and the normal
Refraction A change in the direction of light as it enters a new material
Convex lens A lens, thicker in the middle, that bends rays towards each other
Retina The layer at the back of the eye that detects light
Spectrum The band of colours made when white light is split up
Dispersion The splitting of white light into its colours
Filter A coloured sheet that lets its own colour of light through
Absorption When the energy of light is transferred to a material
Scattering When a surface or a material sends light off in all directions
Transparent Lets light through, so you can see clearly through it
Translucent Lets some light through, but not a clear view
Opaque Lets no light through