What Causes Shadows?

What happens when light is blocked by an OPAQUE object?


Materials

• flashlight or other light source
• opaque object

Directions

• Have students PREDICT what will happen when light is blocked by an opaque object.
• Shine a flashlight or other light source on the wall.
• Choose an opaque object to put in front of the light source to block the path of light.
• OBSERVE.  (A shadow should form.)
•  Have the students RECORD their observation(s) in their science notebooks.

 

Other Activities

• This same activity can be done outside using the Sun instead of a flashlight!

• Children may enjoy making animal shadows on the wall/ground.

• A nature walk on a sunny day is also fun to observe shadows in nature. (Trees make great shadows!)