Science Revision Notes – Unit 6: Light
Cambridge Lower Secondary – Year 8
6.1 – Reflection
Reflection happens when light bounces off a surface. If the surface is smooth, like a mirror or
calm water, the light reflects in a clear direction, and we can see an image. If the surface is
rough, the light scatters in many directions, so we don’t see a reflection clearly.
There’s a rule called the Law of Reflection, which says that the angle where light hits the
surface (the angle of incidence) is the same as the angle it bounces off (the angle of
reflection). This is why mirrors work and why we can predict how light will behave when it
reflects.
6.2 – Refraction
Refraction is when light bends as it passes from one material to another. This happens
because light changes speed. For example, light travels faster in air than in water, so when it
moves between them, it bends.
A good example is when a straw looks bent in a glass of water. Lenses in glasses or
cameras also use refraction to bend light in helpful ways so we can see clearly.
6.3 – Making Rainbows
Isaac Newton discovered that white light is actually made of many colours. He showed this
by shining white light through a glass prism. The light spreads out into a set of colours – this
is called dispersion.
The colours always appear in this order:
Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, Violet (ROYGBIV).
Rainbows form in the sky when sunlight passes through raindrops, which act like tiny prisms
and split the light into the same colour pattern.
6.4 – Colours of Light
There are three primary colours of light: red, green, and blue. When you mix them, you
can make other colours:
● Red + Green = Yellow
● Red + Blue = Magenta
● Green + Blue = Cyan
● All three mixed = White light
We see colour because objects reflect some colours and absorb the rest. A red apple looks
red because it reflects red light. A black object absorbs all colours, and a white object reflects
all colours.
6.5 – Galaxies
A galaxy is a huge group of stars, gas, dust, and planets. We live in a galaxy called the
Milky Way.
Galaxies come in different shapes:
● Spiral – like a pinwheel (e.g., the Milky Way)
● Elliptical – round or oval
● Irregular – no clear shape
There are billions of galaxies in the universe. Each one can have millions or billions of
stars!
6.6 – Rocks in Space
There are small rocky objects in space called asteroids. Most are found in the asteroid belt
between Mars and Jupiter.
Sometimes, smaller rocks called meteoroids enter Earth’s atmosphere. When they burn up
in the sky, we see them as meteors (shooting stars). If one makes it to the ground, it is
called a meteorite.
Practice Questions
Reflection
● What is reflection?
● What kind of surface gives a clear reflection?
● What does the Law of Reflection say?
Refraction
● What causes light to bend?
● Give one real-life example of refraction.
● How do lenses use refraction?
Making Rainbows
● Who discovered that white light is made of many colours?
● What is the spectrum of colours?
● What is dispersion?
Colours of Light
● What are the primary colours of light?
● What colour do you get from red and green light?
● Why does a black object look black?
Galaxies
● What is a galaxy?
● What is the name of our galaxy?
● Name the three main shapes of galaxies.
Rocks in Space
● What is an asteroid?
● What is a meteor and a meteorite?
● Where is the asteroid belt?
