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Science Quiz - Shadows and Reflections (Questions)

Shadows and reflections show how light travels. In KS2 Science, pupils explore how light behaves when it meets different surfaces, creating fascinating effects we see every day.

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Fascinating Fact:

Periscopes use mirrors to reflect light, allowing people to see over walls or around corners.

In KS2 Science, pupils learn how shadows form when light is blocked and how reflections happen when light bounces off shiny surfaces. These ideas help explain everyday phenomena.

Key Terms

Shadow: A dark shape formed when light is blocked by an object.
Reflection: The bouncing of light from a surface, like a mirror or calm water.
Opaque: A material that does not let light pass through, creating clear shadows.

Frequently Asked Questions (Click to see answers)

How are shadows formed in KS2 Science?

Shadows form when an object blocks light from a source. The shape of the shadow matches the outline of the object blocking the light.

What surfaces make the best reflections?

Shiny and smooth surfaces like mirrors or still water make the clearest reflections because they bounce light in a regular way.

Why do shadows change size during the day?

Shadows change because the Sun appears to move across the sky. When the Sun is low, shadows are long, and when it is high, shadows are short.

Try These Related Quizzes

1.

What causes shadows?

[ ]	Shadows are caused by the dark
[ ]	A shadow appears when light cannot pass through an object
[ ]	Shadows are only caused by the Sun going behind a cloud
[ ]	A shadow is formed when the light changes colour to black

2.

Which one of the following is not a source of light?

[ ]	The Sun
[ ]	A fire
[ ]	The Moon
[ ]	A light bulb

3.

Light travels in a straight line. How can it be made to travel around an obstacle?

[ ]	By using reflective materials to change the light's direction
[ ]	By using more than one source of light
[ ]	By blocking the light with another obstacle
[ ]	Light can curve around an object

4.

How does an opaque material affect light?

[ ]	It allows all light to travel through it
[ ]	It allows some light to travel through it
[ ]	It allows no light to travel through it
[ ]	It bends the light which passes through it

5.

You are making shadows with a torch and one hand. What could you do to make the shadow bigger?

[ ]	Use a smaller torch
[ ]	Move the torch further away from your hand
[ ]	Move your hand further away from the torch
[ ]	Move your hand closer to the torch

6.

Which one of the following objects is not translucent?

[ ]	A sheet of glass
[ ]	Tissue paper
[ ]	Cellophane
[ ]	Greaseproof paper

7.

What happens when light hits a reflective material?

[ ]	It passes completely through the material
[ ]	It bounces off the material, changing direction
[ ]	It is absorbed by the material
[ ]	It forms a rainbow

8.

Outdoors, shadows are longest at what time of day?

[ ]	Sunrise and sunset
[ ]	10 a.m.
[ ]	Noon
[ ]	Midnight

9.

Light reflects off which of these materials?

[ ]	A mirror
[ ]	A football
[ ]	Glass
[ ]	Nearly every material will reflect light

10.

Which of the following would reflect the most light?

[ ]	An object with a crumpled surface
[ ]	A smooth, shiny object with flat surfaces
[ ]	A rough object with curved surfaces
[ ]	A dark, shiny object with curved surfaces

You can find more about this topic by visiting BBC Bitesize - Light

Science Quiz - Shadows and Reflections (Answers)

1.

What causes shadows?

[ ]	Shadows are caused by the dark
[x]	A shadow appears when light cannot pass through an object
[ ]	Shadows are only caused by the Sun going behind a cloud
[ ]	A shadow is formed when the light changes colour to black

Shadows are dark patches caused by less light hitting them

2.

Which one of the following is not a source of light?

[ ]	The Sun
[ ]	A fire
[x]	The Moon
[ ]	A light bulb

The Moon is not a source of light; it only reflects light from the Sun

3.

Light travels in a straight line. How can it be made to travel around an obstacle?

[x]	By using reflective materials to change the light's direction
[ ]	By using more than one source of light
[ ]	By blocking the light with another obstacle
[ ]	Light can curve around an object

Mirrors can be used to change the direction of light - that's how periscopes in submarines work

4.

How does an opaque material affect light?

[ ]	It allows all light to travel through it
[ ]	It allows some light to travel through it
[x]	It allows no light to travel through it
[ ]	It bends the light which passes through it

Most solid objects are opaque

5.

You are making shadows with a torch and one hand. What could you do to make the shadow bigger?

[ ]	Use a smaller torch
[ ]	Move the torch further away from your hand
[ ]	Move your hand further away from the torch
[x]	Move your hand closer to the torch

Moving an object nearer to the source of light makes its shadow bigger

6.

Which one of the following objects is not translucent?

[x]	A sheet of glass
[ ]	Tissue paper
[ ]	Cellophane
[ ]	Greaseproof paper

A sheet of glass is transparent - it lets light pass straight through

7.

What happens when light hits a reflective material?

[ ]	It passes completely through the material
[x]	It bounces off the material, changing direction
[ ]	It is absorbed by the material
[ ]	It forms a rainbow

Mirrors are very good reflectors

8.

Outdoors, shadows are longest at what time of day?

[x]	Sunrise and sunset
[ ]	10 a.m.
[ ]	Noon
[ ]	Midnight

The Sun is at its lowest point in the sky at those times

9.

Light reflects off which of these materials?

[ ]	A mirror
[ ]	A football
[ ]	Glass
[x]	Nearly every material will reflect light

Light reflects off nearly all materials - light travels from its source, reflects off an object, changes direction and enters our eyes, allowing us to see the object

10.

Which of the following would reflect the most light?

[ ]	An object with a crumpled surface
[x]	A smooth, shiny object with flat surfaces
[ ]	A rough object with curved surfaces
[ ]	A dark, shiny object with curved surfaces

A smooth, shiny object with flat surfaces, such as a mirror, will reflect the most light