North East I.S.D.
Elementary Science
3rd Grade:
Focus on Light Energy
Portions of this book are under copyright of the Texas Education Agency and the Massachusetts Department of Education. This publication is the property of North
East Independent School District. Duplication in whole or in part, outside of NEISD, is prohibited without express written permission from NEISD.
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Teacher
Student Name
Remember Tex!
Tex is a Science Test Expert! He knows almost everything
about testing. Do you see his magnifying lens? He looks
carefully at questions and he knows the ways that questions
might be asked on a science test.
Portions of this book are under copyright of the Texas Education Agency and the Massachusetts Department of Education. This publication is
the property of North East Independent School District. Duplication in whole or in part, outside of NEISD, is prohibited without express written
permission from NEISD.
Page
From time to time, Tex will review ways a test might ask about
the science concepts you are learning. Tex will give you choices
and you will select the best answer. Almost always, Tex will ask
questions that he wants you to read more than once! He will be
your guide through science and science questions.
Howdy!
What is Light energy?
Light is a form of energy that
you can see. It is something
we use every day and may
take for granted. Your eyes
receive light energy and allow
you to see the things in our
world. Without it we would not
be able to see anything.
How does light travel?
Light moves from a source in a straight line called a ray. A
source is where something begins.
Sunbeam
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These beams have a shape because of how they were created.
The flashlight gives its beam a round shape. The sunbeam has
the shape of the hole in the top of the cave.
Flashlight Beam
Portions of this book are under copyright of the Texas Education Agency and the Massachusetts Department of Education. This publication is
the property of North East Independent School District. Duplication in whole or in part, outside of NEISD, is prohibited without express written
permission from NEISD.
Tex Says:
1. Light travels in a
A zigzag motion.
B straight line.
C in a circle.
D answer not here
2. What part of your body helps you use light energy?
F hands
G feet
H eyes
ears
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Portions of this book are under copyright of the Texas Education Agency and the Massachusetts Department of Education. This publication is
the property of North East Independent School District. Duplication in whole or in part, outside of NEISD, is prohibited without express written
permission from NEISD.
Light spreads out in all directions from its source just as ripples
on the surface of water spread out after you toss in a pebble.
Sunlight
Pebble Tossed in Water
Portions of this book are under copyright of the Texas Education Agency and the Massachusetts Department of Education. This publication is
the property of North East Independent School District. Duplication in whole or in part, outside of NEISD, is prohibited without express written
permission from NEISD.
Page
One way you can tell this is true is by observing a light source
closely. Next time you turn on a lamp or light a candle, walk all
around it. Notice that you can see it from all directions. Light is
getting to your eyes.
Light from other sources travels in the same way. Whether its a
light bulb or a candle, light travels out in all directions from the
source.
Light can travel through a medium such as some solids, liquids,
and gases. However it does not need a medium to travel. It can
travel through empty space.
Is that like light from the Sun?
You guessed it. Luckily for Earth, light
can travel through empty space. Light
from the Sun can reach Earth, even
though much of space is empty.
Light travels as a wave. It is similar to the movement of an ocean
wave.
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A slinky can be used as a model of a wave.
Portions of this book are under copyright of the Texas Education Agency and the Massachusetts Department of Education. This publication is
the property of North East Independent School District. Duplication in whole or in part, outside of NEISD, is prohibited without express written
permission from NEISD.
Tex Says:
3. Light energy can only travel through empty space.
A true
B false
4. Which best describes how light travels?
F a merry-go -round
G a yoyo
H answer not here
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J an ocean wave
Portions of this book are under copyright of the Texas Education Agency and the Massachusetts Department of Education. This publication is
the property of North East Independent School District. Duplication in whole or in part, outside of NEISD, is prohibited without express written
permission from NEISD.
So, is light energy important?
YES! Remember that without light we would not be able to see
anything. Light is a part of our life every day. In fact, without it
we would not have a life.
Wait, explain that!
You are probably thinking about people who cannot see. Many
light sources do not help them, but they are dependent on light.
That is, natural light from the
Sun. Plants use light energy
from the Sun to make their
food. And as you know, plants
begin most food chains. If
there were no sunlight, there
would be no plants and no food
of any kind.
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Earth would also be a cold hard rock
without sunlight.
Portions of this book are under copyright of the Texas Education Agency and the Massachusetts Department of Education. This publication is
the property of North East Independent School District. Duplication in whole or in part, outside of NEISD, is prohibited without express written
permission from NEISD.
What are some other ways we use
light every day?
From flipping a switch to watching our favorite show on
television, our day is filled with uses of light.
Portions of this book are under copyright of the Texas Education Agency and the Massachusetts Department of Education. This publication is
the property of North East Independent School District. Duplication in whole or in part, outside of NEISD, is prohibited without express written
permission from NEISD.
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Watching a science weather video on television
This young girl is turning off the light in her kitchen.
Use of light keeps us from being in the dark, once the Sun goes
down. Lamps light our homes. We can see our computer screens
and much more: Here are some examples.
Reading at Night in Your Room
Candles Light up a Cake
Computer Research
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Light is very important!
Portions of this book are under copyright of the Texas Education Agency and the Massachusetts Department of Education. This publication is
the property of North East Independent School District. Duplication in whole or in part, outside of NEISD, is prohibited without express written
permission from NEISD.
Tex Says:
5. All of the following produce light energy EXCEPT
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Portions of this book are under copyright of the Texas Education Agency and the Massachusetts Department of Education. This publication is
the property of North East Independent School District. Duplication in whole or in part, outside of NEISD, is prohibited without express written
permission from NEISD.
Tex Says:
6. All of the following tools would be of no use
without light energy except
F a hand lens.
G hot plate.
H flashlight.
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J eye glasses.
Portions of this book are under copyright of the Texas Education Agency and the Massachusetts Department of Education. This publication is
the property of North East Independent School District. Duplication in whole or in part, outside of NEISD, is prohibited without express written
permission from NEISD.
Now you know more about light.
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Think of your day and everything you do from when you wake up
until you go back to bed at night. Make a list of all the ways you
use light energy. Try to be as complete as possible. When you
finish, compare your list with your group. Add new ideas to your
list.
Portions of this book are under copyright of the Texas Education Agency and the Massachusetts Department of Education. This publication is
the property of North East Independent School District. Duplication in whole or in part, outside of NEISD, is prohibited without express written
permission from NEISD.
