Light is made up of wavelengths of light, and each wavelength is a particular colour. The colour we see is a result of which wavelengths are reflected back to our eyes. Visible light Visible ...
If there is no light, there is no sight – explore our resources and learn more about the basics of light, how we see and how we perceive the world around us. The research work of three scientists ...
Refraction is the bending of light (it also happens with sound, water and other waves) as it passes from one transparent substance into another. This bending by refraction makes it possible for ...
Reflection is when light bounces off an object. If the surface is smooth and shiny, like glass, water or polished metal, the light will reflect at the same angle as it hit the surface. This is ...
When children draw pictures of the Sun, they often show rays radiating outwards – similar to the image below. These light rays travel in a straight line at nearly 300,000 kilometres per second ...
The Earth’s atmosphere blocks most of the Sun’s UV radiation from penetrating through the atmosphere. The small amount that gets through has both positive and negative effects. Positive ...
The human eye is a sense organ adapted to allow vision by reacting to light. The cornea and the crystalline lens are both important for the eye to focus light. The eye focuses light in a similar ...
This interactive looks at the electromagnetic spectrum.
Light is a form of energy produced by a light source. Light is made of photons that travel very fast. Photons of light behave like both waves and particles. Light sources Something that produces ...
There are a variety of ways we put ultraviolet (UV) radiation to good use. Our skin and UV When we expose our skin to UVB, it stimulates the production of vitamin D, which our bodies need. Window ...
Vitamin D plays an important role in our bodies: It improves general health. It promotes the formation and strengthening of bones (a deficiency will cause bone softening diseases, which then ...
Seeing with two eyes helps people to judge distances and to see in 3D, but even using one eye, there are many clues (often referred to as visual cues) to give people depth perception. Depth ...
This timeline provides a look at some of the key advances in ideas about light, how we see and how we perceive the world around us. 400 BC – Emission theory of vision Greek philosopher and ...
Visible light is the small part within the electromagnetic spectrum that human eyes are sensitive to and can detect. Visible light waves consist of different wavelengths. The colour of visible ...
In this activity, students aim spears at a model of a fish in a container of water. When they move their spears towards the fish, they miss! This activity investigates refraction. By the end of ...
In this activity, students use scientific models and exploration to observe the position of the Sun and its physical effect on light and shadows. The activities are designed for students working ...
Glow-worms are New Zealand’s underground stars. Small but bright, it is no wonder why they attract so many tourists to places such as Waitomo and Paparoa National Park. Living things often have a ...
In this activity, students participate in an interactive ‘true or false’ activity that highlights common alternative conceptions about light and sight. This activity can be done individually, in ...
Electromagnetic radiation can act both as a series of waves and as a stream of particles that are called photons. Shorter wavelength photons have greater energy than longer wavelength ones. UV ...
In this set of activities, students are introduced to basic Physical World concepts about light through the use of play and exploration. Students also have the opportunity to design simple ...
In this set of investigations, students explore objects made from materials that are transparent, translucent and opaque and the effect this has on their shadows. The investigations are designed ...
In this activity, students make a pinhole camera and see images formed on an internal screen. They then use a lens and see brighter and sharper images. This models the human eye. By the end of ...
Have you ever looked at fish in a tropical aquarium? Some of them seem to have markings or patches of colour that ‘glow’ more vividly than what you would expect. Those markings are fluorescent ...
This interactive explores the sequential and interlinking science concepts that underpin knowledge and understanding about light and shadows.
