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Year 2 in England

1st grade light, sound and waves

11 1st grade light, sound and waves skills, each with a worked example, free practice that checks every answer, and a printable worksheet. Start with a mixed review, or jump to the skill you need.

Mixed review

Ten questions drawn from every skill below.

Print a review worksheetRiddle puzzle on screenBingo

Light sources and seeing

CCSS NGSS.1-PS4-2CCSS NGSS.4-PS4-2England: KS2 Y3 Light

Example

Is a cat's eyes at night a light source?

  1. These do not make light; we see them because light bounces off them.
  2. So the answer is: not a light source (reflects light)

Answer: not a light source (reflects light)

Leads to: Shadows and transparent, translucent and opaque materials, Reflection of light, Why we need light to see things

Print a worksheet✏️ Write on screenFlashcards

Sound comes from vibrations

CCSS NGSS.1-PS4-1England: KS2 Y4 Sound

Example

How does sound reach your ears?

  1. Vibrations pass from particle to particle through the air to your eardrum.
  2. So the answer is: Vibrations travel through the air to your ears

Answer: Vibrations travel through the air to your ears

Leads to: Pitch and loudness, Speed of sound and echoes, Find the part that vibrates to make the sound, Sound travels through solids, liquids and gases, but not space

Print a worksheet✏️ Write on screenFlashcards

Why we need light to see things

CCSS NGSS.1-PS4-2England: KS2 Y3 Light

Example

What does a torch (flashlight) do in a dark cave?

  1. The torch is a light source; its light reflects off the walls into our eyes.
  2. So the answer is: It gives out light that bounces off the walls so we can see them.

Answer: It gives out light that bounces off the walls so we can see them.

Builds on: Light sources and seeing

Leads to: How shadows form when light is blocked, Mirrors and shiny surfaces bounce light, Send messages with light and sound, Dark means no light; protect your eyes from the Sun

Print a worksheet✏️ Write on screenFlashcards

How shadows form when light is blocked

CCSS NGSS.1-PS4-3England: KS2 Y3 Light

Example

Why is the shape of a shadow the same outline as the object?

  1. Straight-line light makes a dark shape matching the object's outline.
  2. So the answer is: Light travels in straight lines, so it is blocked exactly where the object is.

Answer: Light travels in straight lines, so it is blocked exactly where the object is.

Builds on: Why we need light to see things

Leads to: Make a shadow bigger or smaller, Clear, cloudy or blocking? How much light gets through

Print a worksheet✏️ Write on screenFlashcards

Make a shadow bigger or smaller

CCSS NGSS.1-PS4-3England: KS2 Y3 Light

Example

In a shadow puppet show, how can you make the puppet's shadow BIGGER on the screen?

  1. Closer to the light → bigger shadow.
  2. So the answer is: Move the puppet closer to the light.

Answer: Move the puppet closer to the light.

Builds on: How shadows form when light is blocked

Print a worksheet✏️ Write on screenFlashcards

Clear, cloudy or blocking? How much light gets through

CCSS NGSS.1-PS4-3England: KS2 Y3 LightEngland: KS1 Y1 Everyday materials

Example

How much light passes through this: a thick book?

  1. No light passes through opaque materials, so they make dark shadows.
  2. So the answer is: opaque (lets no light through)

Answer: opaque (lets no light through)

Builds on: How shadows form when light is blocked

Print a worksheet✏️ Write on screenFlashcards

Mirrors and shiny surfaces bounce light

CCSS NGSS.1-PS4-3England: KS2 Y3 LightEngland: KS2 Y6 Light

Example

Could you see a clear reflection in this: a shop window at night?

  1. Smooth, shiny surfaces bounce light back neatly, so you can often see yourself.
  2. So the answer is: reflects light well (shiny and smooth)

Answer: reflects light well (shiny and smooth)

Builds on: Why we need light to see things

Print a worksheet✏️ Write on screenFlashcards

Find the part that vibrates to make the sound

CCSS NGSS.1-PS4-1England: KS2 Y4 Sound

Example

What vibrates to make the sound of a voice?

  1. Air from your lungs makes your vocal cords vibrate.
  2. So the answer is: your vocal cords in your throat

Answer: your vocal cords in your throat

Builds on: Sound comes from vibrations

Leads to: Sound can make things vibrate, Send messages with light and sound, Loud and quiet sounds, near and far

Print a worksheet✏️ Write on screenFlashcards

Sound can make things vibrate

CCSS NGSS.1-PS4-1England: KS2 Y4 Sound

Example

A tuning fork is struck and then dipped into a bowl of water. What do you see?

  1. The vibrating fork shakes the water, showing that sound is vibration.
  2. So the answer is: The water splashes and ripples.

Answer: The water splashes and ripples.

Builds on: Find the part that vibrates to make the sound

Print a worksheet✏️ Write on screenFlashcards

Send messages with light and sound

CCSS NGSS.1-PS4-4England: KS2 Y3 LightEngland: KS2 Y4 Sound

Example

Does this signal use light, sound or both: a doorbell?

  1. These signals are heard, so they work even if you cannot see them.
  2. So the answer is: sound

Answer: sound

Builds on: Find the part that vibrates to make the sound, Why we need light to see things

Leads to: Send and decode messages using patterns

Print a worksheet✏️ Write on screenFlashcards

Loud and quiet sounds, near and far

CCSS NGSS.1-PS4-1England: KS2 Y4 Sound

Example

Which of these sounds is the LOUDEST?

  1. From quietest to loudest:
  2. people talking < a marching drum close by < a jet plane taking off nearby
  3. So the answer is: a jet plane taking off nearby

Answer: a jet plane taking off nearby

Builds on: Find the part that vibrates to make the sound

Print a worksheet✏️ Write on screenFlashcards

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1st grade Light, sound and waves: Practice and Worksheets