CLIP 1625

Share this page

Demonstrating how light travels in straight lines

Demonstrating how light travels in straight lines
Play
Key Info
  • Demonstrating how light travels in straight lines
  • Duration: 01:04
  • Two practical experiments are used to demonstrate how light travels in straight lines. In the first example, the presenter arranges three pieces of card, with holes in, in an uneven line. The light stops and cannot travel through all three cards. When she arranges the holes in a straight line, the light can travel through. In the second example, a light source is shone onto a shiny and uneven surface. We see how the light still travels in a straight line, but scatters and reflects in different directions.
  • Subject:

    Science

       Topic:

    Light

  • Keywords: light, source, travel, direction, shadows
Ideas for use in class
  • The clip could be used in a lesson introduction to illustrate the teaching point that light travels in a straight line. The two experiments shown are very simple and easy for a teacher to set up. The teacher could carry them out at the beginning of the lesson and the clip could be shown in a plenary session to reinforce the teaching point.
Background details
  • Clip language : English
  • Aspect ratio : 16x9
Video options
  • Location of Real Media clip:
  • Location of Windows Media clip:
  • Location of Flash Video clip:

bbc.co.uk navigation

BBC © 2012 The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read more.

This page is best viewed in an up-to-date web browser with style sheets (CSS) enabled. While you will be able to view the content of this page in your current browser, you will not be able to get the full visual experience. Please consider upgrading your browser software or enabling style sheets (CSS) if you are able to do so.