Light and dark

In a nutshell

Light comes from lots of different sources and is needed for us to see. The absence of light is known as darkness.

Light and dark

Light is a form of energy that allows us to see. This is because it can be picked up by the human eye. The Sun is the largest natural source of light for us here on Earth. When there is little or no light, it is dark. A light source is something that makes light. Light sources can be either natural or artificial.

Example

In the table are examples of natural and artificial sources of light.

Natural	Artificial
The Sun (or any stars)	Torch
Fire	Lamp
Lightning	Glow sticks

Artificial light sources need a supply of energy, usually electrical energy. This energy could be supplied by batteries, or from a mains electrical socket. Some other artificial light sources, such as fireworks and glow sticks, get their energy from chemical reactions.

Curiosity: Some plants and animals can produce their own light, such as fireflies, angler fish and some types of mushrooms.