Year 8 Light Worksheet - Beginner

Year 8 Light worksheet for Year 8 (Key Stage 3 / Year 7-9 (Ages 11-14)). Beginner level science practice, aligned to the UK National Curriculum. Print-ready with answer key included.

Science•Key Stage 3 / Year 7-9 (Ages 11-14)•Lightbeginner

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Light in Action: How We See and What We See

Year 8 Science • Ages 12–13 • Beginner

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Instructions: Work through each activity in order. Read the short guidance carefully, use the information given, and write your answers in the boxes. Show your working for the speed comparison and use scientific words where you can.

Light Travels in Straight Lines

Light travels in straight lines through a uniform material. Use this idea to explain each situation. Keep each answer focused and use the information in the question.

1. A torch shines through three cardboard screens, each with a small hole. The holes are lined up and a bright spot appears on the wall. What happens to the spot if the middle screen is moved sideways? Explain why.

2. A student stands in sunlight and sees a sharp-edged shadow behind a post. What does the sharp edge suggest about the path of light?

3. You can see a book when light from a lamp reflects off it and enters your eye. Complete the path: lamp → book → ___. [2 marks]

Reflection and Refraction

Reflection is when light bounces off a surface. Refraction is a change in direction as light passes between materials. Identify the process and explain the observation in each question.

1. A ray of light bounces off a plane mirror. Name the process.

2. A straight pencil partly under water appears bent at the water’s surface. Name the process that makes it appear bent.

3. A ray hits a plane mirror at an angle of incidence of 35°. The angle of reflection is measured from the normal. What is the angle of reflection?

4. Why does light change direction when it passes from air into glass? Choose the best explanation.

The Eye: From Light to Seeing

Write your answer in the box below.

Colour and Filters

White light contains many colours. A coloured filter transmits some colours and absorbs others. For these beginner questions, assume ideal filters: a red filter transmits red light and absorbs the other colours named.

1. White light passes through a red filter. Which colour is transmitted?

2. A green object is illuminated only with red light. What colour does it appear?

3. White light passes through a blue filter. Which colour is mostly absorbed: blue or red?

4. What three primary colours of light combine to make white light?

Light and Sound: Comparing Speeds

Use the approximate speeds in the table. Light travels far faster than sound. For the calculation, use distance = speed × time and give your answer in metres.

Wave	Approximate speed in air
Light	300
000	000 m/s
Sound	340 m/s

1. Which travels faster through air: light or sound?

2. A sound travels for 2 seconds at 340 m/s. How far does it travel?

3. In a thunderstorm, you see lightning before you hear thunder. Use the speed comparison to explain why.

Answer Key

Activity 1: 1. The spot disappears or becomes much dimmer because the holes are no longer aligned and light travels in straight lines ; 2. Light travels in straight lines, so the post blocks it and produces a sharp-edged shadow ; 3. eye

Activity 2: 1. Reflection ; 2. Refraction ; 3. 35° ; 4. It changes speed

Activity 3: 1. retina ; 2. pupil ; 3. lens ; 4. optic nerve

Activity 4: 1. Red ; 2. Black ; 3. Red ; 4. Red, green and blue

Activity 5: 1. Light ; 2. 680 m ; 3. Light reaches the observer much sooner because its speed is far greater than the speed of sound