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Shadows and Reflections Investigation

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Shadows and Reflections Investigation

A travelling science team is testing how light behaves. Work through the evidence, then plan a fair investigation. You will need a torch, a small opaque object, a wall or screen, and a mirror for the practical tasks.

Read the investigation notes

Mila set up a torch, a wooden block and a white screen in a dim room. She kept the block and screen still and moved the torch. When the torch was close to the block, the shadow on the screen looked larger. When Mila moved the block nearer to the screen, its shadow looked smaller and sharper. Next, she placed a plane mirror in the beam. A bright patch appeared on the wall in a different direction. The mirror had reflected the light; it had not made new light.

1.Which setup change made the shadow larger in Mila’s test?

Moving the torch closer to the block
Moving the screen closer to the block
Replacing the block with a mirror
Turning on the room lights

2.Explain why the wooden block made a shadow. Use the idea of light travelling in straight lines.

3.Sort the objects by predicting whether each would make a clear, faint or almost no shadow: wooden block, clear window glass, tracing paper. Give a reason for one choice.

4.Fill the gaps: A shadow forms when an object light. A mirror can light into a new direction.

Plan a fair test

A science team wants to test how the distance between a torch and an object affects shadow size. A fair test changes one factor at a time and measures the result.

5.Choose the best investigation question.

How does changing torch distance affect shadow height?
Which torch is the prettiest?
Do shadows exist outside?
How many objects can fit on a table?

6.Name one factor to change, one factor to measure, and two factors to keep the same in this test.

7.The team records shadow heights: torch 20 cm away = 18 cm; 40 cm away = 10 cm; 60 cm away = 7 cm. Describe the pattern and use two results as evidence.

8.Draw a labelled test setup showing a torch, an opaque object, a screen, and the path of light. Add an arrow to show where the shadow forms.

9.When a mirror is placed in a torch beam, what happens to the light? How is this different from a shadow?

10.The results from one trial do not match the others. What should the team do before making a conclusion?

Repeat the measurement and check the setup
Delete the result without checking
Change several factors at once
Choose the result they like best

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More Science Worksheets

Year 5

Shadows and Reflections Investigation

Shadows and Reflections Investigation

Read the investigation notes

Plan a fair test

3 printable pages

About This Worksheet

Free in Kuraplan

Print-Ready

AI-Generated

For Teachers & Parents

Need a custom version of this worksheet?

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