English National Curriculum Science

1. Measure the speed of light

Mission Objectives

Calculate the speed of light

Explain why light travels fastest in a vacuum

Compare the speed of light and the speed of sound

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Rocket Words Quiz

See if you know all the meanings of the rocket words

Assessment Quiz

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Word Search Game

Find all the rocket words in the grid

Lesson Resources

Lesson Plan

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Keywords

Words and meanings to learn

Albert Einstein

a German physicist (1879-1955), credited with the theory of relativity and the photoelectric effect

speed of light

the rate at which light travels from a source

vacuum

a space entirely devoid of matter

instantaneous

occurring or present at a particular instant

light-year

a unit of length in astronomy equal to the distance that light travels in one year in a vacuum or about 5.88 trillion miles (9.46 trillion kilometres)

This lesson has been written by

Kate Richards

Kate’s journey as a science educator spans over 15 enriching years. Her passion for unravelling the complexities of the human body led her away from medicine (as she hates blood but loves medical t-shows) and into the world of teaching. She’s had the privilege of nurturing young minds in KS3 and KS4 science, guiding A-level Biology students, and even taught year 4 students in Spain, broadening her teaching horizons early in her career. Kate holds a Masters in Teaching (MTeach) and specialises in biology. Her research for her Master's degree focused on the profound impact of self-efficacy on classroom learning. Beyond the classroom, she finds solace in leisurely family walks and exploring new destinations through travel. She finds that the most rewarding aspect of teaching is witnessing those magical "light bulb moments" when students grasp the intricacies of science right before her eyes. 

Required Resources

Resources: 5 people, 2 stopwatches, a blindfold, ear defenders, 2 flags (any object that can be quickly raised and seen from a long distance), cymbals or clapper board (any object that makes a loud noise; an obvious action that can be seen at a distance will be an appropriate substitute).

Handout: Activities to accompany the mission assignment.

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