What is Light?
Light is a type of energy that is made up of tiny particles called photons. These photons can zip around the universe at very high speeds! The speed of light is the ultimate universe speed limit, up to 180,000 miles per second! Light is one of the main sources of life on Earth! Light has properties or ways that light behaves. They are reflection, refraction, and absorption.
Reflection
Reflection is the first property of light. This is when light bounces off a surface. Did you know that every time you see something, light is reflecting off the thing you are looking at! Light can bounce off smooth surfaces in a much orderly way and you can see your reflection on the surface, like a mirror or pond!
Refraction
Refraction is another property of light. It is when light bends or changes direction. This happens when the light moves through air, and then moves through water. It is the change of the medium or the thing the light is travelling through. Telescopes work by refracting or bending light. Check out our episode to find out more!! You can demonstrate refraction when you put a pencil in a clear glass of water. The pencil appears to be bent or broken because of refraction!
Absorption
Absorption is the last property of light. This is when light gets absorbed by the thing it is hitting. This is how you can see color! The color of the object reflects into your eyes and the other colors get absorbed by the object!