Worked example
A switched-on flashlight produces light. What is the flashlight?
Answer & why
Answer: a light source
It produces its own light rather than only reflecting light from elsewhere.
Grade 1 · Science
Explain why light is needed to see
Explain that seeing an ordinary object requires light from a source to reach it and then the eyes.
6 authored questions + worked example
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All questions
All 6 authored questions for this skill.
Question 1
A closed dark box has no light source inside. Why can you not see an ordinary toy through a small viewing hole?
- a light source
- no light reaches the eyes from the object
- light reaches the eyes from the object
- a reflecting object
A hint
A light source produces light; an ordinary object can reflect that light.
Answer & why
Answer: no light reaches the eyes from the object
Without illumination, the toy sends no reflected light into the eyes.
Question 2
A lamp lights a toy, and you can see the toy. Which condition allows the toy to be seen?
- a reflecting object
- a light source
- light reaches the eyes from the object
- no light reaches the eyes from the object
A hint
A light source produces light; an ordinary object can reflect that light.
Answer & why
Answer: light reaches the eyes from the object
Light from the lamp reflects from the toy toward the eyes.
Question 3
A glowing bulb produces light. What role does it have?
- a light source
- a reflecting object
- light reaches the eyes from the object
- no light reaches the eyes from the object
A hint
A light source produces light; an ordinary object can reflect that light.
Answer & why
Answer: a light source
The bulb emits light.
Question 4
The Moon is visible by reflecting sunlight. Which role matches the Moon in this explanation?
- light reaches the eyes from the object
- a reflecting object
- a light source
- no light reaches the eyes from the object
A hint
A light source produces light; an ordinary object can reflect that light.
Answer & why
Answer: a reflecting object
Visible moonlight is reflected sunlight, rather than light produced like a star’s light.
Question 5
A switched-on flashlight produces light. What is the flashlight?
- a light source
- a reflecting object
- light reaches the eyes from the object
- no light reaches the eyes from the object
A hint
A light source produces light; an ordinary object can reflect that light.
Answer & why
Answer: a light source
It produces its own light rather than only reflecting light from elsewhere.
Question 6
A book is visible because lamp light bounces off its cover. What is the book in this example?
- no light reaches the eyes from the object
- light reaches the eyes from the object
- a reflecting object
- a light source
A hint
A light source produces light; an ordinary object can reflect that light.
Answer & why
Answer: a reflecting object
The book reflects light from the lamp.