How we see things
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain how we see objects around us using our eyes.
Key learning points
- Luminous objects give out light, non–luminous objects do not.
- All surfaces reflect light. Mirror–like surfaces reflect light in a regular way, other surfaces scatter light.
- For anything to be seen, light from it (either emitted or reflected) must enter the eye.
- Light enters the eye through a hole (the pupil) and is detected by the light–sensitive back surface (the retina).
- Beams of light can only be seen if the light hits something and reflects (or scatters) towards an eye.
Keywords
Luminous - Describes something that gives out light.
Non-luminous - Describes something that does not give out light.
Scatter - Surfaces that scatter light reflect light in many directions at once.
Pupil - The hole in the front of the eye that lets light into the eye.
Retina - The back surface of the eye that detects light.
Common misconception
Light only reflects off mirrors and shiny objects, and doesn't reflect off dull surfaces.
All surfaces reflect (some) light. Use ideas of reflected light to explain how we see all the objects around us.
Teacher tip
On mini–whiteboards, ask pupils to sketch ray diagrams to show how they see a range of different objects – luminous, dull non–luminous, a reflection in a mirror (i.e. shiny non–luminous) – in order to consolidate understanding that we see when we detect light that falls into our eyes.
Equipment
Torch, cardboard box, laser, water in a mister/fine spray bottle (for demonstrations).
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which of the following words is the opposite of ‘smooth’?
Q2.Which of the following words is the opposite of ‘shiny’?
Q3.Which of the following statements about light rays are correct?
Q4.The first law of reflection states that the angle of reflection equals …
Q5.The second law of reflection states that the incident ray and the reflected ray are …
Q6.The third law of reflection states that the two rays and the normal are all …
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which of the following objects are luminous?
Q2.Three pupils make statements A, B and C.
A: only white objects reflect.
B: only shiny objects reflect.
C: you can see yourself in any object that reflects.
How many of the statements are correct?
Q3.Which of the following statements describes when light obeys the laws of reflection?
Q4.Which of the following is a definition for the pupil of the eye?
Q5.The is the back surface of the eye that detects light.
Q6.A pupil shines a laser beam onto a wall. They can see a spot of light where the beam hits the wall, but cannot see the beam as it travels to the wall. Which of the following statements explains why?
To help you plan your 7 science lesson on: How we see things, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 7 science lesson on: How we see things, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 3 science lessons from the Sound, light and vision unit, dive into the full secondary science curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.