Light is a type of kinetic energy. It travels in straight lines and it moves faster than anything else we know. (A few third graders even tried to beat light in a race and they couldn't win!)
Light also interacts with materials in different ways. Sometimes, light may travel through a material. This is called transmission. For example, light transmits through transparent glass. Light can also be absorbed by a material, like a wooden door. Light may also transmit through a material but change speed or direction, like in a prism. When light changes direction, this is called refraction.
Third graders are spending time investigating all the different properties of light and the properties of materials that allow light to interact with it differently. These investigations are preparing students to design their own lighting system for a tomb! How enlightening! Ha!
Light also interacts with materials in different ways. Sometimes, light may travel through a material. This is called transmission. For example, light transmits through transparent glass. Light can also be absorbed by a material, like a wooden door. Light may also transmit through a material but change speed or direction, like in a prism. When light changes direction, this is called refraction.
Third graders are spending time investigating all the different properties of light and the properties of materials that allow light to interact with it differently. These investigations are preparing students to design their own lighting system for a tomb! How enlightening! Ha!