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Light to Heat Energy — Reading Comprehension

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This 4th-grade science passage explores the concept of light energy, a key topic in the NGSS standards. Students will learn that light is a form of energy that can be transferred and changed into other forms, such as heat. The passage provides a simple definition of energy and explains how a magnifying glass can be used to demonstrate how light energy is focused and absorbed, converting it into heat energy. This resource is designed to improve reading comprehension skills while teaching foundational science concepts. It aligns with the NGSS standard PS3.A, focusing on the definition of energy and its transfer.

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Light to Heat Energy

Light is a form of energy that travels from a source, like the sun or a lamp. When light shines on an object, it can do three things: bounce off (reflect), pass through, or get taken in by the object. When an object takes in light, we say it absorbs the light.

When light is absorbed, something interesting happens. The object doesn’t just keep the light; it transforms the light energy into heat energy. This is called energy transformation. The object gets warmer because the energy from the light changes into heat.

Think about a sunny day. If you wear a black shirt, it feels much hotter than a white shirt. That’s because dark colors absorb more light and turn it into heat, while light colors mostly reflect the light away. This is why people wear light colors in summer—they stay cooler!

You may have noticed that car seats, sidewalks, or playground slides can get very hot in the sun. That’s because they are absorbing light and turning it into heat. Another fun example is using a magnifying glass to focus sunlight on a spot. The focused light can make the spot very hot—even enough to burn paper! But be careful: never use a magnifying glass on your skin or dry leaves because focused sunlight can cause burns or fires.

Solar panels use this idea in a helpful way. They capture sunlight and transform it into electricity or heat for homes. Greenhouses also trap light and heat inside to help plants grow, even when it’s cold outside.

Even the opposite can happen. When something gets very hot, like a piece of metal, it can glow and give off light. This is heat changing into light!

When light is absorbed by an object, it’s like the object is eating the light and turning it into warmth.

Interesting Fact: The planet Mercury gets extremely hot during the day because it has no atmosphere to protect it, so it absorbs lots of sunlight and heat!

What happens when light is absorbed?

It becomes heat energyIt bounces backIt disappearsIt turns to sound

Why do black shirts feel hotter?

They absorb more lightThey reflect lightThey make windThey have fans

What is a solar panel used for?

Turning light to energyMaking foodCooling carsProducing water

What happens to sidewalks in the sun?

They get warmerThey freezeThey get wetThey turn blue

Why wear light colors in summer?

They reflect lightThey absorb heatThey are heavyThey are expensive

If metal gets hot, what can happen?

It glows and gives lightIt becomes coldIt turns to waterIt disappears