What is Light?

Light is a type of energy that enables us to see objects by either emitting its own light or
reflecting off surfaces into our eyes.

Sources of light

All sources of light can be divided into two groups

1. Natural source of light : e.g. the sun , the stars , fireflies etc
2. Man made source of light: e.g. Candle, torches, electric bulbs etc.

Types of Objects:

1. Luminous Objects:

An object which emits light of its own, then the object is known as Luminous object.

Eg Sun Emits its own Light. Other examples ate Stars, Torch, Candle

2. Non Luminous Objects

An object which do not emit their own light, they reflect light of other objects, then the object is
known as Non – Luminous Objects

Eg: Moon-Moon reflect light from the Sun. Other examples are pen, table, chair.

Unlike sound, which needs a medium (such as air or water) to travel, light can move through
empty space. This is why we can see the Sun and stars from Earth even though space is a
vacuum.

Light behaves in different ways depending on the surface it encounters. It can be:

1. Reflected – Bounced back when it strikes a surface.

2. Transmitted – Passed through a material.
3. Absorbed – Taken in by the material, often converting into heat.

What Happens to Light as It Travels?

When light interacts with an object, three main things can happen:
 1. Emission:
o Some objects, such as the Sun, light bulbs, and flames, produce their own light.
o These objects are called luminous objects.
o Light is emitted in all directions and spreads out as it moves further away from
the source.
2. Reflection:
o Most objects do not produce their own light.
o Instead, they reflect light that falls on them, making them visible to us.
o For example, a book reflects light from a lamp, which enters our eyes, allowing us
to see it.
3. Absorption:
o Some materials absorb light instead of reflecting it.
o Dark-colored objects absorb more light and convert it into heat, making them
warmer.
o Light-colored objects reflect more light, which is why they feel cooler under
sunlight.
4. Transmission:
o Light can pass through certain materials like glass and water.
o This property is called transmission.
o Different materials allow different amounts of light to pass through, leading to
three categories:

Sort these objects into luminous and non- luminous

Sun Traffi Moon Mobile

Mirror cComputer Candle
Paper lightscreen Star
Luminous Objects Non luminous objects

Sun Paper

Candle Moon

Traffic light Mirror

Computer Screen

Mobile
Star

Types of Materials Based on Light Transmission

1. Transparent Materials
o Allow almost all light to pass through.
o Objects on the other side can be seen clearly.
o Example: Clear glass, clean water, air.
2. Translucent Materials
o Allow some light to pass through but scatter it.
o Objects on the other side appear blurry.
o Example: Frosted glass, wax paper, fog.
3. Opaque Materials
o Do not allow light to pass through.
o These materials create shadows because they block light completely.
o Example: Wood, metal, stone.

What can light travel through?

 Light carries energy and travels as a wave.
 Light can travel through gases like the air, some liquids like water, and some solids like
glass.
 It can even travel through completely empty space, which is called a vacuum. It does not
need a medium to travel in.

Why is the Deep Ocean Dark?

Even though water is transparent, the ocean gets darker as you go deeper. This happens
because:

 Absorption of Light: Water absorbs light energy, especially red, orange, and yellow
wavelengths.
 Scattering of Light: Water molecules and tiny particles scatter light in different
directions.
 Lack of Sunlight Penetration: At a certain depth (around 200 meters), almost no
sunlight reaches, making it completely dark.

Some deep-sea creatures produce their own light through bioluminescence to survive in the
darkness.
How Fast Does Light Travel?
 Light is the fastest thing in the universe.
 It moves at 300,000 km/s (kilometers per second) in a vacuum.
 It takes 8 minutes and 20 seconds for sunlight to reach Earth, which is 150 million km
away.
 This speed is much faster than sound, which travels only 0.34 km/s in air.

What is a Light-Year?

 A light-year is the distance light travels in one year.

 It is equal to about 9.46 trillion kilometers (9.46 × 10¹² km).
 Important: A light-year is a measure of distance, not time.

Summary Questions with Answers

1. Copy these sentences, choosing the correct bold words.

 The Sun is luminous/non-luminous because it emits/transmits light.

 The light reflects/transmits off an object that is luminous/non-luminous into your eye
so that you see it.
 Most objects do not transmit light; they are translucent/opaque.

 The Sun is luminous because it emits light.

 The light reflects off an object that is non-luminous into your eye so that you see it.
 Most objects do not transmit light; they are opaque.

2. Explain why it is so dark at the bottom of the ocean even though water is
transparent.

 Water absorbs light as it travels deeper.

 Red, orange, and yellow light get absorbed first, while blue light goes deeper.
 After a certain depth (around 200m), almost no light is left, making the ocean bottom
dark.
3. Describe the journey that light takes from the Sun to your eye when you are
looking at a fish in a pond.

1. Light is emitted from the Sun and travels through space.

2. It enters Earth's atmosphere, where some of it is scattered.
3. The remaining sunlight reaches the pond’s surface and enters the water.
4. Light bends (refraction) as it moves from air to water.
5. The light reflects off the fish and travels back upward.
6. It refracts again as it moves from water to air.
7. The light finally enters your eyes, allowing you to see the fish.

4. How does a mirror create an identical image of the person in front of it?
Ans: When you look in a flat, or plane mirror, your mirror image appears the same
size and shape as you. Your image also appears to be as far behind the mirror as you
are in front of the mirror. This is because light travel in straight lines and is reflected
back into your eye allowing your brain to create the image behind the mirror.
We call the image you see a virtual image.

Extra Interesting Facts About Light

 Light always travels in straight lines unless refracted or reflected.

 Shadows form when an opaque object blocks light.
 The Moon is non-luminous, but we see it because it reflects sunlight.
 Sunlight contains seven colors (VIBGYOR), which can be seen in a rainbow.

Fill in the blanks:

Use these words to complete the sentences about light:

Absorb different diffuse focus prism refraction

same slower specula transmit

Transparent materials like glass ______________light.

When light passes through glass, it changes direction at the edge. This is called ____________.

The light travels _________ in the glass.

A lens uses refraction to _________ light at a focal point.

When white light passes through a _____________ it splits into a spectrum.

Opaque materials like cardboard ______________ light.

Answers:

1. Transparent materials like glass transmit light.

2. When light passes through glass, it changes direction at the edge. This is called
refraction.
3. The light travels slower in the glass.
4. A lens uses refraction to focus light at a focal point.
5. When white light passes through a prism, it splits into a spectrum.
6. Opaque materials like cardboard absorb light.

Worksheet

1. Light is a form of ________. We need light to see things. Objects that create
light are _________ of light or __________ sources. We see non- luminous
objects because light bounces off them and enters our _________.
2. Light travels in ___________lines.
3. __________ are made because light cannot travel through some objects.
Light cannot bend around them either. Things that light cannot travel
through are called _______.
4. Light can travel through ______ objects like glass. Sometimes you can only
see a glow of light through something. Materials like this are ______.
5. Draw lines (using a ruler) to show how the Scientist can see the test tube.
6. Light from the Sun takes _____ seconds to reach the Earth.

Answers:

1. Light is a form of energy. We need light to see things. Objects that create
light are sources of light or luminous sources. We see non- luminous
objects because light bounces off them and enters our eyes.
2. Light travels in straight lines.
3. Shadows are made because light cannot travel through some objects. Light
cannot bend around them either. Things that light cannot travel through are
called opaque.
4. Light can travel through transparent objects like glass. Sometimes you can
only see a glow of light through something. Materials like this are
translucent.
5. Draw lines (using a ruler) to show how the Scientist can see the test tube.
6. Light from the Sun takes _____ seconds to reach the Earth.
Draw lines (using a ruler) to show how the Scientist can see the test
tube.
 3.2 Reflection

1. Why Do We See an Image in the Mirror?

When you look in a mirror, you see a reflection of yourself. This happens because light travels
in straight lines and bounces off the mirror. The reflected rays reach your eyes, and your brain
interprets these rays as if they are coming from behind the mirror.

 The image you see in a mirror is called a virtual image because it cannot be projected
onto a screen.
 It appears the same size and same shape as the object.
 The image appears behind the mirror at the same distance as the object is in front of it.
 The image is laterally inverted, meaning left and right appear swapped.

🔹 Example: When you raise your right hand, the image in the mirror raises its left hand.

2. The Law of Reflection

The law of reflection states that:

👉 The angle of incidence is equal to the angle of reflection.

This means that when a light ray strikes a smooth surface (like a mirror), it bounces back at the
same angle.

Terms to Remember:
  Incident Ray: The light ray that strikes the mirror.
 Reflected Ray: The light ray that bounces off the mirror.
 Normal Line: An imaginary line drawn perpendicular (at 90°) to the mirror at the point
where the light ray hits.
 Angle of Incidence (i): The angle between the incident ray and the normal.
 Angle of Reflection (r): The angle between the reflected ray and the normal.

🔹 Example: If a light ray hits the mirror at an angle of 30° from the normal, it will reflect at the
same angle of 30° on the other side of the normal.

3. Why Do Some Surfaces Show Reflections and Others

Don't?

Specular Reflection (Smooth Surfaces)

 When light reflects off a smooth surface (like a mirror or still water), all the rays reflect
at the same angle.
 This produces a clear and sharp image.
 This type of reflection is called specular reflection.

🔹 Examples: Mirrors, polished metal, calm lakes.

Diffuse Reflection (Rough Surfaces)

 When light reflects off a rough surface (like a wall or paper), the rays scatter in different
directions.
 This does not produce a clear image.
 This type of reflection is called diffuse scattering.

🔹 Examples: Walls, rough glass, fabric.

Q: Why can't you see your reflection in a white wall?

Most of the light is reflected, but in different directions. This prevents an image from forming.
4. The Fantastic Fact – The Salar de Uyuni
The Salar de Uyuni in Bolivia is the world’s largest salt flat. During the rainy season, it becomes
covered with a thin layer of water, creating a natural mirror so large it can be seen from space!
This happens because the surface is extremely smooth, allowing specular reflection.

5. Summary Questions and Answers

Question 1: Complete the sentences

✅ Answer:

 When you look in a mirror, you see a reflection.

 The image is the same size and shape from the mirror.
 When you close your left eye, the image appears to close its right eye.
 The image is formed because light reflects off the mirror so that the angle of incidence is
equal to the angle of reflection.

Question 2: Design a Model for Diffuse Scattering

✅ Answer:
To demonstrate diffuse scattering, you can use:

 Marbles (to represent light rays).

 A smooth football (to represent a mirror for specular reflection).
 A rough-textured ball (to represent a rough surface for diffuse reflection).

Steps:

1. Roll marbles towards the football. They will bounce off at predictable angles,
demonstrating specular reflection.
2. Roll marbles towards the rough-textured ball. The marbles will bounce in different
directions, showing diffuse scattering.
💡 Conclusion: Smooth surfaces reflect light in an orderly way, forming clear images, while
rough surfaces scatter light randomly, preventing image formation.

Angular Problem

A student makes a mistake and measures the angle between the mirror and the incident ray. It is
40°.

Questions:

a. What is the angle of incidence?

b. What is the angle of reflection?
c. He says the angle of incidence and the angle of reflection always add up to 90°. Is he
correct? Explain your answer.

Answers:

a. What is the angle of incidence?

If the student measured the angle between the mirror and the incident ray as 40°, it is not the
angle of incidence.

 The angle of incidence is measured between the incident ray and the normal (which is
a line perpendicular to the mirror surface).
 If the angle between the mirror and the incident ray is 40°, then the angle between the
incident ray and the normal (which is perpendicular to the mirror) will be:

Angle of incidence=90°−40°=50°

So, the angle of incidence = 50°.

b. What is the angle of reflection?

According to the Law of Reflection:

Angle of incidence=Angle of reflection

So, the angle of reflection is also 50°.

c. Is the student correct in saying that the angles always add up to 90°?
No, the student is incorrect.

 The student misunderstood the concept. The angles that always add up to 90° are the
angle of incidence (i) and the angle between the mirror surface and the incident ray.
 This is because the mirror surface and the normal are at 90° to each other.
 But the angle of incidence (i) and angle of reflection (r) are equal to each other, not
adding up to 90°.

For this case:

Angle of incidence=50°, Angle of reflection=50°

Total=50°+50°=100° (Not 90°)