Question 1

What is light?

Accepted Answer

Light is a kind of energy that lets us see things. It travels in waves, like the waves in the ocean.

Question 2

Why do we see colors?

Accepted Answer

We see colors because light can be different wavelengths, and each wavelength looks like a different color to our eyes.

Question 3

How do our eyes see light?

Accepted Answer

We have parts in our eyes called rods and cones. They help send messages to our brain that tell us what colors we see.

Question 4

What is a rainbow?

Accepted Answer

A rainbow is a colorful arc in the sky. It happens when sunlight is bent and split up by raindrops into all its colors.

Question 5

Why is the sky blue?

Accepted Answer

The sky looks blue because when the sun's light hits the Earth's atmosphere, blue light gets scattered in all directions.

Question 6

Why do we use prisms in science class?

Accepted Answer

Prisms are special glass shapes that break light into all its colors. This helps us see how light is made up of different colors.

Question 7

What colors make white light?

Accepted Answer

White light is made of all the colors mixed together. When you combine all colors of the rainbow, you get white light.

Question 8

How do we see in the dark?

Accepted Answer

In the dark, it’s hard to see because there is not much light. Our eyes try to adjust, but we need some light to see well.

Question 9

Why do some things glow in the dark?

Accepted Answer

Glow-in-the-dark things have special chemicals that absorb light and then slowly release it, making them glow.

Question 10

What is a shadow?

Accepted Answer

A shadow is a dark shape made when something blocks light. It forms on the side of the object opposite from the light source.

Question 11

Why do we need sunlight?

Accepted Answer

Sunlight is important for life on Earth. It helps plants grow and gives us the energy and warmth we need.

Question 12

What are mirrors?

Accepted Answer

Mirrors are shiny surfaces that reflect light. They let us see images of ourselves or other things in them.

Question 13

How do sunglasses work?

Accepted Answer

Sunglasses have special lenses that block some of the sunlight. They protect our eyes from too much bright light.

Question 14

Why do lights sometimes flicker?

Accepted Answer

Lights can flicker if there is a problem with the electricity or the bulb. It looks like the light is turning on and off quickly.

Question 15

How do rainbows work?

Accepted Answer

Rainbows happen when light bends and splits through water droplets. Each droplet breaks the light into its different colors.

Question 16

Why is the sun yellow?

Accepted Answer

The sun looks yellow from Earth because its light passes through the atmosphere, which scatters the blue light and leaves the yellow.

Question 17

What makes fire look different colors?

Accepted Answer

Different materials burning in the fire make it show different colors. For example, salt makes flames look yellow, while copper makes them green.

Question 18

Why are traffic lights red, yellow, and green?

Accepted Answer

These colors are easy to see and understand. Red means stop, yellow means slow down, and green means go!

Question 19

What is color blindness?

Accepted Answer

Color blindness is when someone has trouble seeing certain colors. Usually, it means they can’t see reds and greens as well as others can.

Question 20

Do animals see colors?

Accepted Answer

Some animals see colors differently than humans do. For example, dogs see fewer colors, but bees can see more colors, even ones we can't see!

The Science of Color and Light - 20 FAQs Explained Simply