Reflection, Absorption, and Transmission of Light Science Games

In this series of games, your students will learn about the electromagnetic spectrum and how light travels. The Reflection, Absorption, and Transmission of Light learning objective — based on NGSS and state standards — delivers improved student engagement and academic performance in your classroom, as demonstrated by research.

Scroll down for a preview of this learning objective’s games and the concepts they drive home.

Concepts Covered

Light interacts with matter. Different materials can reflect, transmit, or absorb different amounts and wavelengths of light.

When electromagnetic waves transfer energy, they generate light. They are measured by their wavelength, frequency, and speed. For example, each color in the visible light spectrum — red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet — represents a different wavelength and frequency.

Gamma rays, x-rays, ultraviolet, infrared radiation, microwaves, radio waves, and visible light make up the electromagnetic spectrum. They all travel at the same speed — the speed of light — in a vacuum, but when they come into contact with matter, they slow down.

All objects reflect and absorb some light. Some also give off their own visible light, but most are visible because they reflect light into our eyes. An object’s color depends on which wavelengths of light it absorbs and which it reflects.

Some objects transmit light, meaning light passes through them. Opaque objects transmit little or no visible light, translucent objects transmit some, and transparent objects transmit almost all, which is why we can see through them.

Some objects that transmit visible light absorb other wavelengths of light. For example, sunglasses are designed to transmit visible light and absorb ultraviolet light, protecting your eyes.

A preview of each game in the learning objective is found below.

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