Young Space Explorers Bouncing Light Activity

INTRODUCTION:

This activity is one of several designed to explore some of the properties of light.

Light is very important in our lives. We need it to see. The light from the Sun also provides warmth and allows plants to grow. Light is also very important in studying the objects in the night sky. We can't visit the stars, but we can use their light to study them.

MATERIALS:

You will need:

1. small flat mirror

2. small, bright flashlight

3. large shiny metal spoon

INSTRUCTIONS:

These activities work best in a darkened room so that you can see how the light behaves.

1. Place the flat mirror on a table or other flat surface. Try shining the flashlight into the mirror and see where the light goes. Try different angles. Now place the flashlight on the table so it shines at you. Put the mirror in front of you and tip it to bounce the light different directions around the room. Note that you can make it bounce anywhere you want.

2. Shine the flashlight on the wall. Note that you can see a bright spot, which means that the wall is bouncing light back to you. The wall is rough, not smooth like a mirror, so you don't see a mirror image.

3. Try shining the flashlight on various things in the room, including yourself. All these things can bounce light. That is how we can see them!

4. Look at yourself in the spoon. Now turn the spoon around. Note that you can see yourself, but one way you are right side up, the other upside down.

THINGS TO THINK ABOUT: