Year 6 Science: Light from the source to our eyes
Part of the Year 6 Science how we see chapter. Chapter overview · whole chapter on one page
Light from the source to our eyes
We see things because light travels from a light source to our eyes. There are two ways this can happen:
- directly, from a light source straight to the eye, as with a candle;
- by reflection, from a light source to an object, and then to the eye, as with a book lit by a lamp.
The table shows three things we see, and how the light reaches our eyes.
| Thing seen | Path of the light to the eye |
|---|---|
| A candle | straight to the eye |
| A book | from a lamp, to the book, then to the eye |
| The moon | from the Sun, to the Moon, then to the eye |
Key ideas
- Light from a source can go straight to the eye.
- Light can also go from a source, to an object, and then to the eye.
- The reflected light is the light that bounces off the object.
- The eye needs light to reach it, from the source directly or by reflection.
Method. Read the first row.
- Read the row. Light from the candle goes straight to the eye.straight
- Write the words. So the path is straight to the eye.straight to the eye
- Write the answer. straight to the eye
Check. The candle is a light source. ✓
Method. Read the second row.
- Read the row. Light goes from the lamp to the book, then to the eye.lamp to book
- Write the path. So the path is from the lamp, to the book, then to the eye.lamp, book, eye
- Write the answer. from the lamp, to the book, then to the eye
Check. The book reflects the light. ✓
Method. Read the third row.
- Read the row. The light goes from the Sun, to the Moon, then to the eye.Sun
- Write the word. So the light source is the Sun.Sun
- Write the answer. Sun
Check. The Moon reflects sunlight into our eyes. ✓
Watch out
Watch out: the light path to the eye always starts at a light source. A book is not a light source, so light reaches the book from a source first.
Exam tip
Exam tip. Write a light path as: source, then object (if any), then eye.
Try it (with your teacher, or a grown-up at home). In a dim room, with a grown-up, look at a candle or a lamp directly, then look at a book lit by the same lamp. Write both light paths in arrows, as source, object, eye. Keep the candle away from curtains and hair.
Exercise 8C Light from the source to our eyes
Method. Read the table.
- Read the row. The table says the candle light goes straight to the eye.straight
- Write the words. So the path is straight to the eye.straight to the eye
- Write the answer. straight to the eye
Check. Light travels in a straight line from the candle. ✓
Method. Read the table.
- Read the row. The second row has light going to the book, then to the eye.book
- Write the name. So the object that reflects light is the book.book
- Write the answer. book
Check. The book is lit by the lamp. ✓
Method. Read the table.
- Read the row. The path starts from the Sun, then goes to the Moon, then to the eye.Sun
- Write the name. So the light source is the Sun.Sun
- Write the answer. Sun
Check. The Moon is not a light source. ✓
Method. Read the idea.
- Read the idea. We see things because light travels from a source to our eyes, directly or by reflection.travels to our eyes
- Decide. So the answer is yes.yes
- Write the answer. yes
Check. Light must reach the eye. ✓
Method. Follow the path.
- Start at the source. The lamp is the light source.lamp
- Follow the path. The light goes to the book, and then to the eye.book, eye
- Write the answer. lamp, book, eye
Check. The arrows go from source to object to eye. ✓
Method. Check the definition.
- Check the definition. A light source gives out its own light, and the book does not.does not
- Decide. So the answer is no.no
- Write the answer. no
Check. The book reflects light from the lamp. ✓
Method. Count the rows.
- Count. The table has a row for the candle, the book and the Moon.three rows
- Write the number. So there are three paths.3
- Write the answer. 3
Check. Each row is a different thing seen. ✓
Method. Check the table.
- Check the table. The candle light goes straight to the eye, with no reflection.straight
- Decide. So Priya is not right.no
- Write the answer. no
Check. Light from a source can go straight to the eye. ✓
Method. Check the path.
- Check the path. The Moon reflects light from the Sun, and does not give out its own.reflects
- Decide. So Mo is not right.no
- Write the answer. no
Check. The Sun is the source, and the Moon reflects it. ✓
Method. Follow the path.
- Start. The torch is the light source.torch
- Then. The light reflects from the book, and then reaches the eye.book, eye
- Write the answer. torch, book, eye
Check. Source, object, eye. ✓
Method. Think about the candle.
- Think about the candle. A candle is a light source.source
- Think about the path. Its light travels straight from the candle to the eye.straight
- Write the answer. Accept any sentence that says a candle gives out its own light, so the light travels straight from the candle to the eye.
Check. A light source can be seen directly. ✓
Method. Think about the book.
- Think about the lamp. The lamp gives out light, and the light reaches the book.lamp
- Think about the eye. The book reflects this light into the eye, so the book can be seen.reflects
- Write the answer. Accept any sentence that says the book reflects light from the lamp into the eye, so we see the book.
Check. Reflection makes the book visible. ✓
Method. Think about the path.
- Think about the source. Sunlight lights the Moon.sunlight
- Think about the reflection. The Moon reflects that light to the eye, so it can be seen.reflects
- Write the answer. Accept any sentence that says the Sun lights the Moon, and the Moon reflects that light to the eye, so it can be seen.
Check. The light path is Sun, Moon, eye. ✓