Look at this. A torch, a mirror, a glass of water, a coin, and a magnifier. Without touching anything yet: which of these could make light bounce, which could make something look bent, and which could make tiny print look huge?
Hands up one idea. We are going to test these today.
Today we will watch light do three things: bounce, bend, and make things look bigger.
The science words for those are reflection (bounce off a smooth surface), refraction (bend when light goes from air into water), and magnification (a lens making something look bigger).
First we will aim a torch beam with a mirror so the bright spot hits a paper X. Which of the three words is that?
In your group, talk for one minute. Share two quick predictions and a why for each.
Be ready to share one prediction with the class.
Your group runs two main tests. Keep the torch beam away from faces. As you finish each test, jot one note or number on your Investigation Journal page before you move on.
Finish your Investigation Journal page using the jots you made during the tests.
For bounce and bend: check your sketch or note shows what you did and what you noticed.
For magnification: check you have the tool (magnifier or water drop) and your whole-number estimate of how many times bigger the letter looked. Keep what you saw separate from what you think it means.
You're previewing this lesson. Get full access to this lesson and hundreds more — each one ready to teach, with interactive activities, printable resources and pupil progress tracking built in.