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Australian primary science · Year 5 · Lesson 3 of 3
Bounce, soak and bend
Inquiry question: What happens to light when it hits a mirror, dark paper or water?
Check practical materials
Observing
What students learn
When light hits something, it can be reflected (bounce off), absorbed (soaked up) or refracted (change direction as it passes into another material). We see objects because light reflects off them into our eyes.
Success criteria
- I can reflect a torch beam onto a target.
- I can describe what happens to light on dark and light paper.
- I can explain why a pencil looks bent in water.
Preparation and materials
Before this lesson: Students know light travels in straight lines (lesson 2).
- Small LED torch (cheap ones from a discount shop are fine) — 13
- Small plastic safety mirrors (no glass), or smooth aluminium foil taped flat on card — 13
- Aluminium foil, about 15 cm square (to crumple) — 13
- Black paper or card, and white paper — 13 of each
- Clear plastic cups, about two-thirds full of water — 13
- Pencils — 13
- Opaque cups or mugs (plastic, paper or ceramic) — 13
- Coins — 13
- Jug of water and paper towel for spills — 1 each
- Paper target (a circle drawn on paper) taped to the wall at table height — 13
Teacher setup
- Tape paper targets on the wall below shoulder height, one per pair.
- Fill a jug with water.
- Darken the room a little.
Safety and adaptations
- Use plastic safety mirrors only; no glass mirrors.
- Never shine a torch, or a beam reflected from a mirror, into anyone’s eyes. Keep beams below shoulder height.
- Wipe up water spills straight away.
- Coins stay out of mouths.
Review your school policies and curriculum requirements before teaching.
How to investigate
The lesson sequence should leave pupils with evidence to interpret, not only an activity to finish.
- Reflect: shine the torch at the mirror and bounce the light onto the wall target. Then try smooth and crumpled foil.
- Absorb: shine the torch on white paper, then black paper. Hold a white card beside each and compare how much light bounces onto it.
- Refract: put a pencil in the cup of water. Look from the side and from above.
- Try the coin mystery with an opaque cup.
- Record a prediction, what you saw and whether light was reflected, absorbed or refracted.
Teacher modelling prompt
Model the mirror target: “I put the mirror flat on the table, shine the torch down at it, and look at where the spot lands on the wall. If I tilt the torch, the spot moves. The light bounces off at the same angle it hits.” Keep the beam low and point it away from faces.
Record and explain evidence
Recording question: What happens to light when it hits a mirror, dark paper or water?
| Test | Prediction | What we saw | Reflected, absorbed or refracted? |
|---|---|---|---|
| ________________ | ________________ | ________________ | ________________ |
Example recording headings; record actual observations, including inconclusive results.
Discussion prompt
What evidence could show who is right?
Check understanding
What should pupils know? Match each word to what light does: reflect, absorb, refract.
Explain with evidence: Why does a pencil look bent in a glass of water?
Apply the idea: Draw arrows to show how you can see a book in a room lit by a lamp.
Teacher answer guidance and saved classroom work are available through the main lesson experience where supported.