How does light work?

KS2 geography

How many light sources can you name? Join Cavewoman and Rowan the Reindeer to find out how light works – then test your knowledge with a fun quiz!

Woman in fur costume with deer, speech bubbles.

Caves might look a little scary – but with Cavewoman as your guide, they're safe, awesome and full of fun and exciting things.



Cavewoman knows her way round like no one else. She's been exploring these caverns for 10,000 years! She makes sure that every one of you has a finger torch to light your way – so you can have a great time exploring the magic world of the caverns.

Sources of light: what are they and how do they work?


When you go down into the caves, you wear a little torch on your finger. You can point this at a rock or a fossil and see it lit up.


This lightbulb is a source of light. A source of light is anything that lets us see.

So it's not just torches and lightbulbs – it's also the sun in the sky! Think of it this way. When you go to bed at night, everything is dark. But in the morning, the sun has lit everything up!

Your torch isn't the only source of light you'll see in the cave. Look out for the lights in the rock – and Cavewoman's special torch which shines purple light on to the stones. When she turns it on, you can see all the lines and patterns in the rock!

What was it like in prehistoric times?

In prehistoric times life was very different. There was no electricity. If it was dark, you couldn't just turn on the light! Cave people would carry torches made from wood.

People also had to light fires to keep warm. There were no radiators in those days! A fire was a source of heat as well as light.


Caves are fun to visit – but would you like to live in one? It's good that we can now stay safe with electric torches – and that the gift shop is nice and warm! 

Sources of light

Firefly with blue wings, glowing yellow abdomen, in flight.
Black sun with rays on a white background.

The sun

Black flashlight icon emitting light.

Torches

Black candle burning with wax dripping, on a small plate.

Candles

Black flame icon on white background.

Fire

Black firefly with glowing light on a white background.

Fireflies

Black worm symbol with curved body.

Glow worms

Fireflies and glowworms

Did you know that an insect can be a source of light too?

Fireflies and glowworms are insects which are natural sources of light – like flying torches! They sometimes live in caves – but sadly we don't have any here at Stump Cross.

Blue cartoon firefly with glowing yellow abdomen and outstretched wings.

When we go down into the caverns, how many sources of light can you see?

Woman in spacesuit waves.

How does light travel?

What’s the fastest thing you can think of? A jet-plane? A cheetah? Usain Bolt?


Light travels faster than them all. And it’s not just fast – it’s the fastest thing in the universe.



Amazingly, light always travels in a straight line. Wherever it comes from, it moves as straight as an arrow. It never zigs, zags, bends or wobbles.