Light

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Help your children understand the world around them. What do many living things need to survive? Explain that most plants and animals rely on food, water, shelter, and light in some way. But, what is light? Light is a type of energy, like heat or sound. Light helps us see and it is all around us. The Sun, stars, lightning, and fire are all natural sources of light. Living things need light to survive, including plants, animals, and people. People use electricity to light their homes and some use solar power, which converts sunlight into electricity. Light is made up of tiny particles that travel in waves. Light travels until it hits an object and is either absorbed or reflected. We can see because light is reflected from an object to our eyes. Light can pass through transparent, or clear objects, but not through opaque ones. Objects that block light can cast shadows. Some objects block light but also allow some light to pass.