Year 6

Where do different colours come from?

In this lesson, we will be learning how we can see different colours. We will apply our learning of reflection and refraction from previous lessons to understand how rainbows are made. At the end of the lesson there will be a chance to try creating your own rainbow by refracting light! If you would like to try making your own rainbow then you will also need a transparent glass of water or an old CD. You can still take part in the lesson if you do not have these items.

Year 6

Where do different colours come from?

In this lesson, we will be learning how we can see different colours. We will apply our learning of reflection and refraction from previous lessons to understand how rainbows are made. At the end of the lesson there will be a chance to try creating your own rainbow by refracting light! If you would like to try making your own rainbow then you will also need a transparent glass of water or an old CD. You can still take part in the lesson if you do not have these items.

warning

These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

Switch to our new teaching resources now - designed by teachers and leading subject experts, and tested in classrooms.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. How white light is split into different colours
  2. Primary and secondary colours of light
  3. How a rainbow is made

Licence

This content is made available by Oak National Academy Limited and its partners and licensed under Oak’s terms & conditions (Collection 1), except where otherwise stated.

Loading...

5 Questions

Q1.
What is reflection?
An object that emits light
The absence of light
Correct answer: When light bounces off an object
Q2.
Is diagram A or diagram B correct?
Correct answer: Diagram A
Diagram B
Q3.
What part of the eye is labelled C?
An image in a quiz
Correct answer: The lens
The optic nerve
The pupil
Q4.
Which best describes the pupil?
Correct answer: A hole through which the light enters
Carries signals from the eye to the brain
Focuses light onto the retina
Q5.
How would you describe the glass used to make sunglasses?
Opaque
Correct answer: Translucent
Transparent

5 Questions

Q1.
What is reflection?
An object that emits light
The absence of light
Correct answer: When light bounces off an object
Q2.
What is refraction?
Correct answer: When a light wave changes direction as it moves from one transparent material to another.
When an opaque object blocks light and creates a dark patch.
When the angle of incidence and reflection are equal.
Q3.
What is happening at label A?
An image in a quiz
Reflection
Correct answer: Refraction
Q4.
What is happening at label B?
Correct answer: Reflection
Refraction
Q5.
What is happening at label C?
Reflection
Correct answer: Refraction