Sound, light and vision
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Threads
Why this why now
This unit builds on pupils’ prior learning from Light and how it travels, where they explored the basic properties of light, including how it moves in straight lines and forms shadows. It extends this knowledge by examining the nature of sound and light waves, their interactions, and how they are perceived by the human senses. This prepares pupils for the next unit, Making images, where they will apply their understanding of wave properties to explore how light is used to create images, further enhancing their grasp of the role of waves in communication and perception.
Prior knowledge requirements
- Sounds are made by something that is vibrating.
- Vibrations from sounds are heard because they move through the air to the ear.
- Bigger vibrations make louder sounds.
- Shorter or tighter strings vibrate to make sounds with a higher pitch.
- Sounds get fainter as distance from the sound increases.
- Light travels in straight lines.
- Objects are seen because they shine light or reflect light into the eye.
- Light forms shadows in the shape of objects that block it.
Threads
Why this why now
This unit builds on pupils’ prior learning from Light and how it travels, where they explored the basic properties of light, including how it moves in straight lines and forms shadows. It extends this knowledge by examining the nature of sound and light waves, their interactions, and how they are perceived by the human senses. This prepares pupils for the next unit, Making images, where they will apply their understanding of wave properties to explore how light is used to create images, further enhancing their grasp of the role of waves in communication and perception.
Prior knowledge requirements
- Sounds are made by something that is vibrating.
- Vibrations from sounds are heard because they move through the air to the ear.
- Bigger vibrations make louder sounds.
- Shorter or tighter strings vibrate to make sounds with a higher pitch.
- Sounds get fainter as distance from the sound increases.
- Light travels in straight lines.
- Objects are seen because they shine light or reflect light into the eye.
- Light forms shadows in the shape of objects that block it.
Physics
Sound, light and vision
This unit explores sound and light waves, including frequencies, echoes, reflection, absorption, and the need for a medium for sound to travel. It also compares light and matter waves, investigates light transmission and colour, and examines wave properties and effects.
8 lessons in unit
slide decks, worksheet PDFs, quizzes and lesson overviews. You can select individual lessons from the Sound, light and vision unit and download the resources you need, or download the entire unit now. See every unit listed in our secondary science curriculum and discover more of our teaching resources for secondary science programmes.