Many students believe that light can travel further at night than in the daylight

Light, Sound and Waves

Misconception RESEARCH REVIEW

Diagnostic Resources

The following worksheets may help to identify whether students hold this particular misconception.

For more information, see the University of York BEST website.

Resources to Address This

  • How far can light travel?  (5-11)

    Ref - SPT HS01 TL03

    Although the spreading and scattering of light are not referred to in all curricula, they are certainly necessary to offer any kind of plausible explanation for the relatively short range of a torch beam. One teaching colleague regales his pupils with the mantra:

    Teacher: Light doesn't run out, it spreads out!

    View Resource
  • How far can light travel?  (11-14)

    Ref - SPT Li01 PN06

    This is the same resource as the 5-11 example, but with more additional approaches.

    View Resource

References

The following studies have documented this misconception:

  • Osbourne, J., Black, P., Smith, M., and Meadows, J. () Primary SPACE project - light. Liverpool University Press.

    Review sheet

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