Lesson 7 of 7

Light and materials

Goal: Describe what happens when light meets different materials.

Puzzles for this lesson

Word search0 of 8 foundCrossword0 of 38 letters
A clear glass, a frosted glass jar and a white mug in a row on a sunny table. Each casts a different shadow

When light meets a material it can be transmitted, absorbed or reflected. Most materials do some of each.

TransparentLets light through. You can see clearly through it.
TranslucentLets some light through, but you cannot see clearly through it.
OpaqueLets no light through. It casts a dark shadow.
  • Absorbed light transfers its energy to the material, which warms up. A black surface absorbs nearly all the light that falls on it.
  • A mirror is very smooth. It reflects rays evenly, so they stay in order and you see an image. This is called specular reflection.
  • Most surfaces are rough, even ones that feel smooth. They scatter light in all directions. This is called diffuse scattering. It is how you see most things: they scatter light into your eyes.

Your turn

This lesson’s activity starts here in a moment.

Check yourself

Knowledge organiser

This lesson on one page. Tap it to make it bigger.

Key words in this lesson

Ray A straight line with an arrow that shows the path of light

Reflection When light bounces off a surface

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

For teachers: AQA 3.4.2