Sources of Light

• The Sun is the biggest natural source of light for the Earth.
• A burning candle gives out its own light.
• A torch uses a bulb to produce its own light.
• The Moon does not make its own light; it only reflects the Sun's light.
• A mirror or shiny spoon does not produce light; they only reflect it.

Level 1 — Core idea

Verbal: Objects that give out their own light are called sources of light; objects that only bounce back light are not sources of light.

Symbolic: Sun, candle, torch, bulb = light sources | Moon, mirror, spoon = only reflect light

Visual: Shine a torch on a mirror in a dark room — the mirror lights up only because it reflects the torch's light, not its own.

Level 2 — Going deeper

Think about where you see this idea in daily life at home and school — noticing it around you makes the concept easier to remember.

NCERT anchor

NCERT Looking Around 3 sky-watching activities compare the Sun's steady daytime light with the Moon's changing night-time glow.

Is the Moon a source of light? Explain.

Step 1 — The Moon has no light of its own
Step 2 — It only **reflects** sunlight
Answer: **No, the Moon is not a light source**

You light a candle in a dark room. Is the candle a source of light?

Step 1 — The candle flame produces its own light
Step 2 — Producing its own light means it is a **source**
Answer: **Yes, a lit candle is a source of light**

• Name one natural source of light.
• Does the Moon make its own light?
• Is a mirror a source of light? Why or why not?
• Stretch: Why can we see the Moon at night even though it makes no light?

Revision tip: Sort objects into two groups — 'gives its own light' and 'only reflects' — before answering.

Open the Practice tab for graded questions on Sources of Light.