See-through and blocked light — Physical education, 4–6 years
Some materials let much of the light through, while others stop it. Looking through clear, cloudy and solid objects helps us notice this difference.
Idea
A clear material lets us see objects on the other side, like a clean window. A cloudy material lets some light through but makes things look blurry, like frosted glass. An opaque material blocks the light, like a book or a wooden door.
Why
We need this idea when deciding whether light or a view should pass through something. A window must let us see outside, but a curtain can let in light while hiding details. People learned to use different materials to control what could be seen and how much light entered.
Worked example
Leo tests three objects with a torch and a toy behind them. Through clear plastic, he sees the toy clearly. Through tracing paper, he sees only a blurred shape. Behind cardboard, he sees nothing, so the plastic is clear, the paper is cloudy and the cardboard is opaque.
Common trap
It is reasonable to think that anything that lets light through must also let us see clearly. A bright lamp can shine through a curtain, yet the curtain hides the shape of a person. Letting light through and letting a clear picture through are not exactly the same.
In the world
Windows are made from clear materials so daylight and views can enter. Shower screens and lampshades often use cloudy materials: light gets through, but details are less easy to see. Boxes, walls and book covers use opaque materials when the inside should stay hidden.
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