Shadows & Material Transparency

PRISM PALACE · GLOWLING

Shadows & Material Transparency

Shadow Court

Learn with Glowling, then use your clues in the adventure. Pause whenever you need time to read or think.

Speech bubbles tell the story. Music and sound effects are optional; use the player’s volume control.

Train more: lesson transcript and free resources

Glowling — Shadows & Material Transparency Shadow Court

Hi!

I'm Glowling.

Welcome to Shadow Court!

Will you help me investigate shadows & material transparency?

The Grumblies have mixed up our clues.

Let's check the evidence!

Transparent materials pass much visible light clearly;

translucent materials pass light but scatter it;

opaque materials block it.

Which material blocks light?

  • A. Translucent
  • B. Opaque
  • C. Transparent

The answer is B: Opaque

Transparent materials pass much visible light clearly;

translucent materials pass light but scatter it;

opaque materials block it.

That clue helps us make sense of this place.

A shadow forms where an object blocks light.

Shadow size can change with the positions of source, object and screen.

Which scatters transmitted light?

  • A. Translucent
  • B. Perfectly opaque
  • C. Perfectly transparent

The answer is A: Translucent

Transparent materials pass much visible light clearly;

translucent materials pass light but scatter it;

opaque materials block it.

Hmm...

how does that connect to our first clue?

Our fixed lamp-and-screen model moves an opaque card closer to the lamp.

Its shadow grows larger in this arrangement.

A clear sheet would let much more light pass.

What happens to this shadow when the card approaches the lamp?

  • A. It must disappear
  • B. Its size cannot change
  • C. It grows larger

The answer is C: It grows larger

Our fixed lamp-and-screen model moves an opaque card closer to the lamp.

Its shadow grows larger in this arrangement.

A clear sheet would let much more light pass.

Nice investigating!

You've been following the evidence.

Let's bring our clues together before the adventure.

Transparent materials pass much visible light clearly;

translucent materials pass light but scatter it;

opaque materials block it.

A shadow forms where an object blocks light.

Our fixed lamp-and-screen model moves an opaque card closer to the lamp.

You're ready to explore Shadow Court with me!

Choose TRAIN MORE if you'd like another look at the clues.

Choose START ADVENTURE when you're ready.

I'll be right here!

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Free Shadows & Material Transparency teacher guide and practice (PDF)

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