Simple Science Experiments: Light and Sound

Simple Science Experiments: Light and Sound — page 3
What is LIGHT Light is a type of energy that you can see and it is essential for all kinds of things We need light to grow food and to be able to see around us In earlier times people used fires candles or oil for lighting Now we make our own light with electricity or gas Sun Hot light Light is usually produced by a very hot object such as a light bulb or fire and heat is released The sun is our main source of light Its rays travel through space and reach us as heat and light energy How light travels Light travels in straight lines called rays Light rays change direction if they are reflected off or pass through an object or substance but they still remain straight Viperfish Refraction When a straw is placed in water it looks as though it is slightly bent This is because light rays bend when they pass through water This bending of rays is called refraction Reflection When light hits a very smooth surface such as a mirror it reflects bounces off the surface If it hits a mirror at an angle it is reflected off at exactly the same angle The eye receives a reflection of the image Light rays bounce off the mirror 6 Cold light Some animals produce a kind of light that gives off no heat Fireflies and glowworms are insects that can make parts of their bodies glow with light About 1,500 different deep-sea fish give off light Actual object