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Primary Science · Year 6Chapter 7 · Light travels in straight lines
Year 6 Science · Light travels in straight lines · Lesson 7.5

Year 6 Science: Light, the Sun and safety

Part of the Year 6 Science light travels in straight lines chapter. Chapter overview · whole chapter on one page

7.5

Light, the Sun and safety

Year 6
L1: light appears to travel in straight lines, and safe use of light sources, including the Sun
Story. On a sunny day, Sam sees his shadow on the path. “Can I look at the Sun to see how bright it is?” he asks. Mr Patel says, “Never look at the Sun, even for a second. It can damage your eyes. Light is useful, but it must be used safely.”

The Sun is a very bright source of light. Looking at it can damage the eyes, even when it is covered by cloud or viewed through sunglasses. Looking at the Sun through binoculars, a telescope or a pinhole is also dangerous.

Torches and lamps must also be used safely. Never shine a torch into someone's eyes, and never point a bright light at a person's face.

never look at the Sun
A sun above a red-crossed eye: never look at the Sun.

The table lists the safety rules.

RuleWhy it matters
Never look at the Sunthe Sun can damage your eyes, even for a short time
Never look at the Sun through a telescope or a pinholethe light is concentrated and can cause serious harm
Keep a torch beam away from people's eyesa bright beam can hurt the eyes
Wear a hat and sunscreen in strong sunlightprotects skin and eyes from the Sun's rays
Sit in the shade in strong sunlightthe shade reduces the time you are in direct sunlight

Key ideas

  • Never look at the Sun, even with sunglasses or through a telescope or pinhole.
  • Never shine a torch into someone's eyes.
  • In strong sunlight, wear a hat and sunscreen, and sit in the shade.
  • Use light sources safely, with a grown-up.
Worked example 7.5.1
Look at the table in section 7.5. Is it safe to look at the Sun through binoculars? Write yes or no.

Method. Read the first rules.

  1. Read the rules. The table says never look at the Sun through binoculars, a telescope or a pinhole.
    never
  2. Decide. So it is not safe, and the answer is no.
    no
  3. Write the answer.
    no

Check. The Sun can damage the eyes through any of these. ✓

Worked example 7.5.2
Look at the table in section 7.5. Which rule protects the skin from strong sunlight? Write the words.

Method. Find the rule about skin.

  1. Read the rules. Wearing a hat and sunscreen protects the skin and eyes from the Sun's rays.
    sunscreen
  2. Write the words. So the rule is to wear a hat and sunscreen.
    hat and sunscreen
  3. Write the answer.
    wear a hat and sunscreen

Check. Sunscreen and a hat protect the skin in strong sunlight. ✓

Worked example 7.5.3
Is it safe to look at the Sun, if you wear sunglasses? Write yes or no.

Method. Check the rules.

  1. Read the rule. The rule says never look at the Sun, even with sunglasses on.
    even with sunglasses
  2. Decide. So it is not safe, and the answer is no.
    no
  3. Write the answer.
    no

Check. Sunglasses do not make the Sun safe to look at. ✓

Watch out

Watch out: sunglasses do not make it safe to look at the Sun. Cloud does not make it safe either, because the light can still damage the eyes.

Exam tip

Exam tip. When you write about the Sun, say never look at it, and give the reason: it can damage the eyes.

Try it (with your teacher, or a grown-up at home). With a grown-up, look at a shadow made by a torch on a wall, and talk about the rules for light. Do not look at the Sun. On a sunny day, go to the shade and check your shadow there. Wear a hat and sunscreen outside.

Exercise 7E  Light, the Sun and safety

1
FIs it safe to look directly at the Sun? Write yes or no.
2
FIs it safe to look at the Sun through a pinhole camera? Write yes or no.
3
FName one thing you should wear in strong sunlight to protect your skin. Write one word.
4
FShould a torch be shone into someone's eyes? Write yes or no.
5
FDoes wearing sunglasses make it safe to look at the Sun? Write yes or no.
6
FIn strong sunlight, which place is a good place to sit? Write one word.
7
PSAli says that looking at the Sun is safe when it is behind cloud. Is Ali right? Write yes or no.
8
PSPriya wants to shine a torch at a friend to see how far the beam goes. Is this safe? Write yes or no.
9
PSWrite one reason why the rule about never looking at the Sun is important. Write one sentence.
10
RExplain why light from the Sun can cause harm, even though we need it. Write one sentence.
11
RChallenge: explain why a shadow is a safe way to observe the Sun's position, but looking at the Sun itself is not. Write one sentence.

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